Network control center for satellite communication system

ABSTRACT

A mobile satellite system including a satellite communication switching office and network system having a satellite antenna for receiving and transmitting a satellite message via a satellite to and from a mobile earth station including a mobile communication system, a satellite interface system, a central controller receiving and transmitting the satellite message from the mobile earth station to and from the satellite communication switching office via the satellite and the satellite interface system. The mobile communication system includes a user interface system providing a user interface through which a user has access to services supported by the mobile satellite system and an antenna system which provides an interface between the mobile communication system and the mobile satellite system via the satellite interface system. The antenna system receives a first satellite message from the satellite and transmits a second satellite message to the satellite. The mobile satellite system is responsively connected to the mobile communication system. The mobile satellite system comprises a network operations center (NOC) which manages and controls the resources of the satellite network system and conducts the administrative functions associated with the management of the satellite network system. The NOC communicates with the various internal and external entities via a control network. A network communications controller (NCC) manages the allocation of circuits between the mobile communication system and the satellite switching office for supporting communications. Available circuits are held in circuit pools managed by at least one Group Controller (GC) in the NCC, the NCC communicating with the NOC via said control network. The GC includes components which control call setup and monitoring, management of satellite resources during call setup and cleardown, database management, call record management, congestion control, generation of performance and traffic statistics, and periodic performance verification testing.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/728,227, filed Oct. 10, 1996, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/007,749, filed Nov. 30, 1995.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a satellite communication system and more particularly to an improved network control for a satellite communication system using a network control center (NCC) and group controller (GC) arrangement for satellite communication providing voice, data, and facsimile transmission between mobile earth terminals (METs or MTs) and feederlink earth stations (FESs) that act as gateways to public networks or base stations associated with private networks.

BACKGROUND ART

An overview of the satellite network system is illustrated in FIG. 1. The satellite network system design provides the capability for METs and FESs to access one or more multiple beam satellites located in geostationary orbit to obtain communications services.

The heart of the satellite network system for each of the networks is the Network Control System (NCS) which monitors and controls each of the networks. The principal function of the NCS is to manage the overall satellite network system, to manage access to the satellite network system, to assign satellite circuits to meet the requirements of mobile customers and to provide network management and network administrative and call accounting functions.

The satellites each transmit and receive signals to and from METs at L-band frequencies and to and from Network Communications Controllers (NCCs) and Feederlink Earth Stations (FESs) at Ku-band frequencies. Communications at L-band frequencies is via a number of satellite beams which together cover the service area. The satellite beams are sufficiently strong to permit voice and data communications using inexpensive mobile terminals and will provide for frequency reuse of the L-band spectrum through inter-beam isolation. A single beam generally covers the service area.

The satellite network system provides the capability for mobile earth terminals to access one or more multiple beam satellites located in geostationary orbit for the purposes of providing mobile communications services. The satellite network system is desired to provide the following general categories of service:

Mobile Telephone Service (MTS). This service provides point-to-point circuit switched voice connections between mobile and public switched telephone network (PSTN) subscriber stations. It is possible for calls to be originated by either the mobile terminal or terrestrial user. Mobile terminal-to-mobile terminal calls are also supported.

Mobile Radio Service (MRS). This service provides point-to-point circuit switched connections between mobile terminal subscriber stations and subscriber stations in a private network (PN) which is not a part of the PSTN. It is possible for calls to be originated from either end. Mobile terminal-to-mobile terminal calls are also supported.

Mobile Telephone Cellular Roaming Service (MTCRS). This service provides Mobile Telephone Service to mobile subscribers who are also equipped with cellular radio telephones. When the mobile terminal is within range of the cellular system, calls are serviced by the cellular system. When the mobile terminal is not in range of the cellular system, the MTCRS is selected to handle the call and appears to the user to be a part of the cellular system. It is possible for calls to be originated either from the MET or the PSTN. Mobile terminal-to-mobile terminal calls are also supported.

NET Radio (NR). This service provides point-to-multipoint circuit switched connections between mobile terminal subscriber stations and a central base station. Mobile users are able to listen to two-way conversations and to transmit using a push-to-talk mode of operation.

Mobile Data Service (MDS). This service provides a packet switched connection between a data terminal equipment (DTE) device at a mobile terminal and a data communications equipment (DCE)/DTE device connected to a public switched packet network. Integrated voice/data operation is also supported.

The satellites are designed to transmit signals at L-band frequencies in the frequency band 1530-1559 MHz. They will receive L-band frequencies in the frequency band 1631.5-1660.5 MHz. Polarization is right hand circular in both bands. The satellites will also transmit in the Ku frequency band, 10,750 MHz to 10,950 MHz, and receive Ku-band signals in the frequency band 13,000 to 13,250 MHz.

The satellite transponders are designed to translate communications signals accessing the satellite at Ku-band frequencies to an L-band frequency in a given beam and vice versa. The translation will be such that there is a one-to-one relation between frequency spectrum at Ku-band and frequency spectrum in any beam at L-band. The satellite transponders will be capable of supporting L-band communications in any portion of the 29 MHz allocation in any beam.

Transponder capacity is also provided for Ku-band uplink to Ku-band down-link for signaling and network management purposes between FESs and NCCs. The aggregate effective isotropic radiated power (AEIRP) is defined as that satellite e.i.r.p. that would result if the total available communications power of the communications subsystem was applied to the beam that covers that part of the service area. Some of the key performance parameters of the satellite are listed in FIG. 2.

The satellite network system interfaces to a number of entities which are required to access it for various purposes. FIG. 3 is a context diagram of the satellite network system illustrating these entities and their respective interfaces. The three major classes of entities are defined as user of communications services, external organizations requiring coordination, and a network management system.

The users of satellite network communications services are MET users who access the satellite network system either via terrestrial networks (PSTN, PSDN, or Private Networks) or via METs for the purpose of using the services provided by the system. FES Owner/Operators are those organizations which own and control FESs that provide a terrestrial interface to the satellite network. When an FES becomes a part of the satellite network, it must meet specified technical performance criteria and interact with and accept real-time control from the NCCs. FES Owner/Operators determine the customized services that are offered and are ultimately responsible for the operation and maintenance of the FES. Customers and service providers interact with the Customer Management Information System within the Network Management System.

The satellite network system interfaces to, and performs transactions with, the external organizations described below:

Satellite Operations Center (SOC): The SOC is not included in the satellite network ground segment design. However, the satellite network system interfaces with the SOC in order to maintain cognizance of the availability of satellite resources (e.g. in the event of satellite health problems, eclipse operations, etc.) and, from time to time, to arrange for any necessary satellite reconfiguration to meet changes in traffic requirements.

Network Operations Center (NOC): The NOC manages and controls the resources of the Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) system, including all MSS elements and transmission facilities, and carries out the administrative functions associated with management of the total MSS system. The NOC consists of computer facilities, the necessary management protocols, and man-machine interfaces to human operators. The NOC communicates with the various internal and external entities via a LAN/WAN based MSS Internetwork or dial-up lines.

The satellite network system interfaces with the satellites located therein via the NOC for a variety of operational reasons including message delivery and coordination.

Independent NOCs: The satellite network system interfaces with outside organizations which lease resources on satellite network satellites and which are responsible for managing and allocating these resources in a manner suited to their own needs.

Other System NOCS: This external entity represents outside organizations which do not lease resources on satellite network satellites but with whom operational coordination is required.

The satellite network management system (NMS) is normally located at an administration's headquarters and may comprise three major functional entities; Customer Management Information System (CMIS), Network Engineering, and System Engineering (NE/SE). These entities perform functions necessary for the management and maintenance of the satellite network system which are closely tied to the way the administration intends to do business. The basic functions which are performed by CMIS, Network Engineering, and System Engineering are as follows:

Customer Management Information System: This entity provides customers and service providers with assistance and information including problem resolution, service changes, and billing/usage data. Customers include individual MET owners and fleet managers of larger corporate customers. Service providers are the retailers and maintenance organizations which interact face to face with individual and corporate customers.

Network Engineering: This entity develops plans and performs analysis in support of the system. Network Engineering analyzes the requirements of the network. It reconciles expected traffic loads with the capability and availability of space and ground resources to produce frequency plans for the different beams within the system. In addition, Network Engineering defines contingency plans for failure situations.

System Engineering: This entity engineers the subsystems, equipment and software which is needed to expand capacity to meet increases in traffic demands and to provide new features and services which become marketable to subscribers.

The satellite network system comprises a number of system elements and their interconnecting communications links as illustrated in FIG. 4. The system elements are the NOC, the NCC, the FES, the MET, the Remote Monitor Station (RMS), and the System Test Station (STS). The interconnecting communications links are the satellite network Internetwork, terrestrial links, the MET signaling channels, the Interstation signaling channels, and the MET-FES communications channels. The major functions of each of the system elements are as follows:

NOC. The NOC manages and controls the resources of the satellite network system and carries out the administrative functions associated with the management of the total satellite network system. The NOC communicates with the various internal and external entities via a local area network (LAN) /wide area network (WAN) based satellite network Internetwork and dial-up lines.

NCC. The NCC manages the real time allocation of circuits between METs and FESs for the purposes of supporting communications. The available circuits are held in circuit pools managed by Group Controllers (GCs) within the NCC. The NCC communicates with the NOC via the satellite network Internetwork, with FESs via Ku-to-Ku band interstation signaling channels or terrestrial links, and with mobile terminals via Ku-to-L band signaling channels.

FES. The FES supports communications links between METs, the PSTN, private networks, and other MTs. Once a channel is established with an MT, call completion and service feature management is accomplished via In-Band signaling over the communication channel. Two types of FESs have been defined for the satellite network system; Gateway FESs and Base FESs. Gateway FESs provide MTS and MTCRS services. Base FESs provide MRS and NR services.

MET. The MET provides the mobile user access to the communications channels and services provided by the satellite network system. A range of terminal types has been defined for the satellite network system.

RMS. The RMS monitors L-band RF spectrum and transmission performance in specific L-band beams. An RMS is nominally located in each L-band beam. Each RMS interfaces with the NOC via either a satellite or terrestrial link.

STS. The STS provides an L-band network access capability to support FES commissioning tests and network service diagnostic tests. The STS is collocated with, and interfaced to, the NOC.

Communications channels transport voice transmissions between METs and FESs via the satellite. Connectivity for MET-to-MET calls is accomplished by double hopping the communications channels via equipped FESs. Signaling channels are used to set up and tear down communications circuits, to monitor and control FES and MET operation, and to transport other necessary information between network elements for the operation of satellite network. The system provides Out-of-Band and Interstation signaling channels for establishing calls and transferring information. In-Band signaling is provided on established communications channels for supervisory and feature activation purposes. A detailed description of the satellite network signaling system architecture is provided in L. White, et al., “North American Mobile Satellite System Signaling Architecture,” AIAA 14th International Communications Satellite Conference, Washington, D.C. (March 1992), incorporated herein by reference.

The satellite network Internetwork provides interconnection among the major satellite network ground system elements such as the NOCs, NCCs, and Data Hubs, as well as external entities. Various leased and dial-up lines are used for specific applications within the satellite network system such as backup interstation links between the NCC and FESs and interconnection of RMSs with the NOC.

The primary function of the NOC is to manage and control the resources of the satellite network system. FIG. 5 is a basic block diagram of the NOC and its interface. The NOC computer is shown with network connections, peripheral disks, fault tolerant features, and expansion capabilities to accommodate future growth. The NOC software is represented as two major layers, a functional layer and a support layer. The functional layer represents the application specific portion of the NOC software. The support layer represents software subsystems which provide a general class of services and are used by the subsystems in the functional layer.

The application specific functions performed by the NOC are organized according to five categories: fault management, accounting management, configuration management, performance management, and security management. The general NCC Terminal Equipment (NCCTE) configuration includes: processing equipment, communications equipment, mass storage equipment, man-machine interface equipment, and optional secure MT Access Security Key (ASK) storage equipment. The Processing Equipment consists of one or more digital processors that provide overall NCC control, NCS call processing, network access processing and internetwork communications processing.

The Communications Equipment consists of satellite signaling and communications channel units and FES terrestrial communication link interface units. The Mass Storage Equipment provides NCC network configuration database storage, call record spool buffering an executable program storage. The Man-Machine Interface Equipment provides operator command, display and hard copy facilities, and operator access to the computer operating systems. The MT ASK storage Equipment provides a physically secure facility for protecting and distributing MT Access Security Keys.

The NCCTE comprises three functional subsystems: NCCTE Common Equipment Subsystem, Group Controller Subsystem, and Network Access Subsystem. The NCCTE Common Equipment subsystem comprises an NCC Controller, NCCTE mass storage facilities, and the NCCTE man-machine interface. The NCC Controller consists of processing and database resources which perform functions which are common to multiple Group Controllers. These functions include satellite network Internetwork communications, central control and monitoring of the NCCTE and NCCRE, storage of the network configuration, buffering of FES and Group Controller call accounting data, transfer of transaction information to the Off-line NCC and control and monitoring of FESs.

The Mass Storage element provides NCC network configuration database storage, call accounting data spool buffering, and NCCTE executable program storage. The Man-machine Interface provides Operator command and display facilities for control and monitoring of NCC operation and includes hard copy facilities for logging events and alarms. A Group Controller (GC) is the physical NCC entity consisting of hardware and software processing resources that provides real time control according to the CG database received from the NOC.

The Group Controller Subsystem may incorporate one to four Group Controllers. Each Group Controller maintains state machines for every call in progress within the Control Group. It allocates and de-allocates circuits for FES-MET calls within each beam of the system, manages virtual network call processing, MET authentication, and provides certain elements of call accounting. When required, it provides satellite bandwidth resources to the NOC for AMS(R)S resource provisioning. The Group Controller monitors the performance of call processing and satellite circuit pool utilization. It also performs MET management, commissioning and periodic performance verification testing.

The Network Access Subsystem consists of satellite interface channel equipment for Out-of-Band signaling and Interstation Signaling which are used to respond to MET and FES requests for communications services. The Network Access Processor also includes MET communications interfaces that are used to perform MET commission testing. In addition, the subsystem includes terrestrial data link equipment for selected FES Interstation Signaling.

The principal function of the FES is to provide the required circuit switched connections between the satellite radio channels, which provide communications links to the mobile earth terminals, and either the PSTN or PN. FESs will be configured as Gateway Stations (GS) to provide MTS and MTCRS services or Base Stations to provide MRS and Net Radio services. Gateway and Base functions can be combined in a single station.

The FES operates under the real time control of the Network Communications Controller (NCC) to implement the call set-up and take-down procedures of the communications channels to and from the METs. Control of the FES by the NCC is provided via the interstation signaling channels. An FES will support multiple Control Groups and Virtual Networks. The FES is partitioned into two major functional blocks, the FES RF Equipment (FES-RE) and the FES Terminal Equipment (FES-TE). The principal function of the FES-RE is to provide the radio transmission functions for the FES. In the transmit direction it combines all signals from the communications and interstation signaling channel unit outputs from the FES-TE, and amplifies them and up-convert these to Ku-Band for transmission to the satellite via the antenna. In the receive direction, signals received from the satellite are down-converted from Ku-Band, amplified and distributed to the channel units within the FES-TE. Additional functions include satellite induced Doppler correction, satellite tracking and uplink power control to combat rain fades.

The principal function of the FES-TE is to perform the basic call processing functions for the FES and to connect the METs to the appropriate PSTN or PN port. Under control of the NCC, the FES assigns communications channel units to handle calls initiated by MET or PSTN subscribers. The FES-TE also performs alarm reporting, call detail record recording, and provision of operator interfaces.

For operational convenience, an FES may in some cases be collocated with the NCC. In this event, the NCC RF Equipment will be shared by the two system elements and the interstation signaling may be via a LAN. Connection to and from the PSTN is via standard North American interconnect types as negotiated with the organization providing PSTN interconnection. This will typically be a primary rate digital interconnect. Connection to and from private networks is via standard North American interconnect types as negotiated with the organization requesting satellite network service. This will typically be a primary rate digital interconnect for larger FESs or an analog interconnect for FESs equipped with only a limited number of channels may be employed.

There is a general need for an integrated mobile telephone that can be used to transmit to, and receive from, a satellite. In particular, an integrated mobile communication device is needed that provides the ability to roam between a satellite network and a terrestrial based network. The mobile communication device should include the ability to transmit and receive data and facsimile communications. In this connection, there are certain communication delays between the mobile communication device and the satellite that adversely affect the ability to accomplish the above functions and require compensation to effectively and efficiently effectuate transmissions between the mobile communication device and the satellite network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is a general need for an integrated mobile satellite communication system having a control arrangement capable of effectively and efficiently administering and managing the operation of the system for communication.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a satellite communications network control and administration system that effectively and efficiently manages the satellite communications network.

To achieve these and other features and advantages of the present invention, a control and administration system for a mobile communication system is provided in a mobile satellite system. The mobile satellite system includes a satellite communication switching office having a satellite antenna for receiving/transmitting a satellite message via a satellite from/to a vehicle using a mobile communication system, a satellite interface system, a central controller receiving/transmitting the satellite message from/to the satellite communication switching office issued from the vehicle via the satellite and the satellite interface system. The-mobile communication system includes a user interface system providing a user interface through which a user has access to services supported by the mobile satellite system, and an antenna system providing an interface between the mobile communication system and the mobile satellite system via the satellite interface system, and receiving a first satellite message from the satellite and transmitting a second satellite message to the satellite. The mobile communication system also includes a transceiver system, operatively connected to the antenna system, including a receiver and a transmitter. The transmitter converts the second satellite message including at least one of voice, data, fax and signaling signals into a modulated signal, and transmits the modulated signal to the antenna system. The receiver accepts the first satellite message from the antenna system and converts the first satellite message into at least one of voice, data, fax and signaling signals, at least one of the voice, data and fax signals routed to the user interface system. The receiver includes a second converter with an associated second frequency synthesizer, a demodulator, and a demultiplexer for at least one of voice, fax, and data. The mobile communication system also includes a logic and signaling system, operatively connected to the transceiver, controlling initialization of the mobile communication system, obtaining an assigned outbound signaling channel from which updated system information and commands and messages are received. The logic and signaling system configures the transceiver for reception and transmission of at least one of voice, data, fax and signaling messages, and controls protocols between the mobile communication system and the mobile satellite system, and validating a received signalling messages and generating codes for a signaling message to be transmitted.

These together with other objects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully herein described and claimed, with reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the satellite network system;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating key performance parameters of the satellite used in the satellite network system;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the satellite network system illustrating components and respective interfaces;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a satellite network system illustrating a number of system elements and their interconnecting communications links;

FIG. 5 is a basic block diagram of the NOC and its interfaces;

FIG. 6 is a basic block diagram of the physical architecture of the mobile earth terminal (MET);

FIG. 7 is a basic block diagram of the functions of the mobile earth terminal (MET);

FIGS. 8a-8 c are diagrams of different transceiver configurations;

FIG. 9A is a diagram of the format of a typical signalling unit;

FIG. 9B illustrates the basic signalling architecture in the satellite communication system;

FIG. 10 is a diagram of the frame formats and relationships of the out of band signaling channels;

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a typical example of a communication channel format, in this case voice mode in-band signaling;

FIG. 12 is a diagram of the relationship of MGSP to other signaling layers in the GC and the MET;

FIG. 13 is a diagram of the improved call setup protocol used to establish a MET originated voice call;

FIG. 14 is a diagram of the improved protocol used for PSTN originated calls;

FIG. 15 is a diagram of a visitor registration sequence of the MET;

FIG. 16 is a diagram of the multiple operating modes of the mobile earth terminal (MET);

FIG. 17A is a basic block diagram of the functions of the mobile earth terminal (MET) including the digital equipment terminal functions;

FIG. 17B is a diagram of a data call setup sequence between the MET and a PSTN;

FIGS. 18-19 are event tree diagrams of a call setup sequence between the MET and a PSTN;

FIG. 20 is a diagram of a call release sequence initiated by the MET;

FIG. 21 is a diagram of a call release sequence initiated by the PSTN;

FIG. 22 is a diagram of a data field format;

FIG. 23 is a diagram of a call setup sequence between the PSTN and MET;

FIG. 24 is an event tree diagram of a call setup sequence between the PSTN and MET;

FIG. 25 is a basic block diagram of the functions of the mobile earth terminal including the facsimile interface unit functions;

FIG. 26 is a diagram of a data field format at 2400 bit/s;

FIG. 27 is a diagram of a binary coded procedural signal;

FIG. 28 is a basic block diagram of the basic components of the NCC showing the included GC;

FIG. 29 is a diagram of the NCC logical architecture;

FIG. 30 is a basic block diagram of a circuit switched NAP;

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing the channel unit (CU) architecture;

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing the GC CSCI architecture and the GC local configuration database with call monitoring and statistics;

FIGS. 33A-33E illustrate the lower level data flow diagrams;

FIG. 34 shows the GC subsystems which manage a call in progress;

FIG. 35 shows the GC processes and shared memory tables;

FIG. 36 shows the GC CGM inter-process communications;

FIG. 37 shows the GC ASK inter-process communications;

FIG. 38 shows the GC Router inter-process communications;

FIG. 39 shows the GC queued inter-process communications sequence for MT-PSTN calls; and

FIG. 40 shows the GC queued inter-process communications example of incremental reconfiguration.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The architecture and functioning of the NCC and GC are best described in the context of the arrangement and operation of the satellite network system.

The MET includes all of the communication and control functions necessary to support communications from a vehicle or fixed remote site using the resources of the satellite network system. FIGS. 6 and 7 are basic block diagrams of the physical architecture and functions of the mobile earth terminal. The basic functional diagram of FIG. 7 is implemented by baseband processing and RF electronics of FIG. 6. A standard voice coder/decoder receives coded messages from the baseband processing and RF electronic system and decodes the message received from the satellite antenna unit for delivery to the interface unit that includes standard user interfaces. Baseband processing and RF electronics receive satellite communications responsive with low noise amplifier (LNA) and output signals for transmission using the diplexer of the antenna unit. Baseband processing and RF electronics-also outputs signals for use with beam steering antennas as will be discussed blow. Advantageously, the mobile earth terminal is functional with antennas that are either steerable or nonsteerable.

The functional subsystems comprising the MET are shown in FIG. 7 and include the user interface, transceiver, antenna, logic and signaling, power supply subsystems, and Position Determination subsystem. The baseline MET will have a low gain directional antenna in the antenna subsystem. The satellite network system supports communications with METs using omnidirectional and higher gain directional antennas.

The user interface subsystem provides the user interfaces through which the user has access to the services supported by the satellite network system. Depending on the service(s) the MET will be equipped with one or more of the devices or ports. The transceiver subsystem consists of a receiver and a transmitter. The transmitter accepts voice, data, fax and signaling signals and converts them to a modulated RF signal. The transmit RF signal is routed to the antenna subsystem. The transmitter typically consists of the high power amplifier (HPA), the upconverter with its associated frequency synthesizer, the modulators and the modules for voice, Fax, or data encoding, multiplexing, scrambling, FEC encoding, interleaving and frame formatting.

The receiver accepts modulated RF signals from the antenna subsystem and converts them into voice, data, fax or signaling signals as appropriate. The voice, data and fax signals are routed to the user interface subsystem. The receiver typically consists of the downconverter with its associated frequency synthesizer, the demodulator, and the modules for frame de-formatting, de-interleaving, FEC decoding, descrambling, demultiplexing and voice, Fax, or data decoding. The transceiver communicates over one channel in each direction at any one time. Thus, the transceiver subsystem will typically consist of only one receiver and one transmitter. However, the MET may also incorporate a pilot receiver for antennas and frequency tracking purposes, or a complete receiver dedicated to the continuous reception of the signaling channel from the Group Controller. Three different transceiver/receiver configurations are illustrated in FIGS. 8(a)-8(c).

The antenna subsystem provides the MET interface to the satellite network and is responsible for receiving the RF signal from the satellite and transmitting the RF signal generated by the MET towards the satellite. The subsystem typically includes an antenna which may be either directional or omnidirectional, a diplexer, a low noise amplifier (LNA), an optional beam steering unit (BSU) if a directional antenna is used, a device such as a compass or an inertial sensor for the determination of the orientation of the vehicle, and an antenna for the position determination receiver.

The logic and signaling subsystem acts as the central controller for the MET. Its basic functions are to initialize the MET by performing a self test at power up and control, based on a resident system table, the acquisition of one of the METs assigned outbound signaling channels from which updated system information and commands and messages from the GC are derived. The logic and signaling subsystem sets up and configures the transceiver for the reception and transmission of voice, data, fax or signaling messages as appropriate. The logic and signaling subsystem also handles the protocols between the MET and the FES and between the MET the GC via signaling messages, and checks the validity of the received signaling messages (Cyclic Redundance Check (CRC) ) and generates the CRC codes for the signaling message transmitted by the MET.

The logic and signaling subsystem also interprets the commands received from the local user via the user interface subsystem (e.g. on/off hook, dialled numbers, etc.) and take the appropriate actions needed, and generates, or commands the generation, of control signals, messages and indications to the user through the user interface subsystem. The logic signaling system also controls the beam steering unit (if any) in the antenna subsystem, and monitors and tests all the other subsystems. In case of fault detection, it informs the user about the failure and takes the appropriate measures needed to prevent harmful interference to the satellite network or other system.

The power supply subsystem provides power to all other subsystems. The external voltage source to which this subsystem interfaces depends on the type of vehicle on which the MET is mounted (e.g. 12/24 Volts DC for land vehicles).

A standard receiver such as a GPS or a Loran-C receiver is also provided for the determination of the position of the vehicle. This information is used by the logic and signaling subsystem for beam steering (if used) or for applications such as position reporting. The position determination system is implemented externally to the MET and interfaced through a dedicated data port in the user interface subsystem.

The function of the Remote Monitor System is to continuously monitor the activity on each GC-S channel and to monitor the activity within the downlink L-band spectrum in the beam in which it is located. An RMS will be located in every beam carrying satellite network traffic. An RMS may be a stand alone station or collocated with the NCC or an FES. The RMS is controlled by the NOC and communicates via leased lines or the interstation signaling channels if collocated with an FES. The RMS detects anomalous conditions such as loss of signal, loss of frame sync, excessive BER, etc. on the GC-S channels and generates alarm reports which are transmitted to the NOC via the leased line interface. In addition, it monitors BER on any channel and power and frequency in any band as instructed by the NOC.

The primary functions of the System Test Stations (STS) is to provide commission testing capability for every channel unit in a FES and to provide readiness testing for the Off-Line NCC. The STS is collocated with and controlled by the NOC and will comprise one or more specifically instrumented METs. The STS provides a PSTN dial-up port for making terrestrial connections to FESs to perform MET to terrestrial end-to-end testing. The STS also provides a LAN interconnection to the NOC to provide access to operator consoles and peripheral equipment.

Advantageously, the MET combines three different features for the delivery and transmission of voice and data. These three features include: the ability to initiate and transmit a data call, the ability to initiate and transmit a facsimile digital call, and the ability to roam between satellite and terrestrial based wireless communication systems. The following documents, representing applicable transmission protocols, are hereby incorporated by reference: EIA/IS-4B Cellular Radio Telecommunications Inter-System Operations; EIA/TIA-553-1989 “Cellular System Mobile Station—Land Station Compatibility Standard”; EIA/TIA-557; EIA/IS-54B.

The MSS signaling system provides the communications capability between network elements required to set up and release communications circuits, provide additional enhanced services, and support certain network management functions. The network elements discussed above include group controllers (GCs), feederlink earth stations (FESs), and mobile earth terminals (METs). The seven different channel types are:

GC-S Outbound TDM signaling channel from the GC to the METs. MET-ST Inbound TDMA signaling channel from the MET to the GC. MET-SR Inbound random access signaling channel form the MET to the GC. FES-C Outbound communications and inband signaling channel from an FES to a MET. MET-C Inbound communications and inband signaling channel from a MET to an FES. GC-I Interstation signaling channel form the GC to an FES. FES-I Interstation signaling channel from an FES to the GC.

FIG. 9B illustrates the basic signalling architecture in the satellite communication system.

The basic element of communication for signaling and control for the MSS signaling system is the Signaling Unit (SU). The SU consists of 96 bits organized in 12 octets of 8 bits each. The first 80 bits comprise the message, and the last 16 a parity check, computed using the CCITT CRC-16 algorithm. The SU itself may take a variety of forms, depending on its use. The format of a typical SU, in this case a MET request for access, is shown in FIG. 9A. For transmission, the SU is convolutionally encoded at either rate 3/4 or 1/2, adding an additional 32 or 96 bits respectively.

For the example given in FIG. 9A, the meanings of the various fields are as follows:

Message type: A 7 bit code which identifies the meaning of the SU; in this case a request for access to the MSS system for call placement.

MET-GC Signaling Protocol (MGSP) Header: A 8 bit field comprised of several sub-fields giving particular information related to the protocol: message type (command, response, message), message reference identification, and the number of times the message has been retransmitted.

RTIN: Reverse Terminal Identification Number—the MET's Electronic Serial Number, by which it identifies itself in transmissions on the MET-SR channel.

Digits 1-10: The first 10 digits of the addressed telephone number in the PSTN or private network, in hexadecimal. If the 10th digit is set to “C”, an address of greater than 10 digits is indicated.

CRC: The 16-bit error detection code (Cyclic Redundancy Code).

The frame formats used in the GC-S, MET-SR and MET-ST channels are closely related, and are based on a common 360 millisecond superframe established on the GC-S channel. The frame formats and relationships of the out of band signaling channels are shown in FIG. 10.

In FIG. 10, all timing relationships in the MSS system signaling scheme are determined from the GC-S frame structure. The GC-S is operated in the QPSK mode at an aggregate rate of 6750 b/s. The stream is divided into superframes of 360 ms, comprising three 120 ms frames. Each frame is in turn comprised of a 24-bit unique word (UW), six SUs, eight flush bits and 10 unused bits, for a total of 810 bits and 120 ms. The first frame of a superframe is identified by inversion of the UW.

Mobile terminals throughout the area covered by any beam receive GC-S channels with a total uncertainty of approximately 32 ms, primarily due to their geographical locations. The received superframe boundary establishes the four 90 ms “slots” in the MET-SR random access channels, which operate in the BPSK mode at 3375 b/s. The actual random access burst is comprised of a 24-bit preamble, a 32-bit UW, a 128-bit SU (96 bits rate 3/4 coded), and eight flush bits, for a total of 192 bits in 56.9 ms. This allows a 33.1 ms guard time between bursts. Mobile Terminals select a MET-SR channel and slot at random from among the permitted choices.

The MET-ST TDMA channels, which also operate in the BPSK mode at 3375 b/s, are comprised of bursts which are equal in length to the GC-S frame, and which are also timed on the received frame boundary. The TDMA burst is made up of a 24-bit preamble, a 32-bit UW, a 192-bit SU (96 bits rate 1/2 coded), and eight flush bits. The total length of the TDMA burst is 256 bits in 75.9 ms, which allows a guard time of 44.1 ms. Mobile Terminals always respond to commands received on the GC-S on a MET-ST channel which corresponds in number to the position of the command SU in the TDM frame. For example, the MET will respond to a command in SU slot 2 on MET-ST channel 2, and so forth. The response is always transmitted in the second frame time after receipt of the command, so that there is a minimum of 120 ms in which the MET can prepare its response.

The initial phase of establishing a call is handled by out-of-band signaling on the GC-S, MET-SR and MET-ST channels. This phase culminates in assignment of a pair of communication channels to the MET and FES. When these elements receive and tune to the communication channels, further signaling and control functions are accomplished using inband signaling. The communication channels, FES-C and MET-C, use a variety of related TDM formats which are determined by the intended use of the link, i.e., voice, data, or facsimile and one of three possible primary modes: call setup (entirely signaling), communication (no signaling), or in-band signaling (an occasional subframe of 128 bits is used for signaling/control).

The same 96-bit SU described above is used to accomplish in-band signaling. A typical example of a communication channel format, in this case voice mode in-band signaling is shown in FIG. 11.

The outbound TDM, inbound TDMA, and inbound random access channels provide signaling between the GC and each of the METS in the associated control group. All communications on these channels will be passed in the form of 96 bit (12 octet) messages known as signaling units. Each signaling unit will begin with a 1-octet messages type field and end with a two-octet cyclic redundancy check. The MET to GC Signaling Protocol (MGSP) serves as the layer two protocol for these channels.

Communications from the group controller (GC) to the mobile terminals is provided by the Outbound TDM or GC-S channel. The primary function of this channel is to carry frequency assignments from the GC to individual METS. In addition, the Outbound TDM channel carries network status information which is received by all METs in a particular beam and control group. The outbound TDM channel operates at a rate of 6750 bits/s with rate 3/4 FEC. QPSK modulation and nominally 7.5 kHz channel spacing (other spacings are under investigation) is employed. These parameters are identical to those of the communications channel and were chosen to reduce MET complexity.

Inbound TDMA (MET-ST) channels are used by the MET to respond to actions initiated by the GC, such as responding to the call announcement issued by the GC to check a MET's availability to receive a PSTN originated or MET to MET call. The Inbound Random Access (MET-SR) channels are used by METs to request frequency assignments and for other MET initiated actions. The inbound random access and TDMA channels each operate at a rate of 2400 bits/s with rate 3/4 FEC. DPS modulation and nominally 7.5 kHz channel spacing is employed. This modulation scheme has been selected because of its robust performance in the presence of frequency offset and timing errors. It also exhibits superior performance relative to conventional BPSK in the presence of band-limiting and hard-limiting.

Each control group has associated with it a number of L-band beams over which it operates. In each of these L-band beams a control group has associated with it a distinct set of outbound TDM, inbound TDMA, and inbound random access channels. The number of signaling channels of each type in each set is determined based on the level of signaling traffic flowing between the GC and the METs in that control group in that L-band beam. As signaling traffic levels change, new signaling channels of each type are allocated to or deallocated from a particular set of channels. The frequencies used for outbound TDM, inbound TDMA, and inbound random access channels are included in the status information carrier in the bulletin board signaling units transmitted on the outbound TDM channel.

Each MET is assigned to one of the outbound TDM channels in the control group and beam to which it belongs. Each control group supports up to 16 outbound TDM channels in each beam. Each outbound TDM channel has associated with it up to 6 inbound TDMA channels. An inbound TDMA channel will only carry messages that are responses to messages received on the outbound TDM channel with which it is associated inbound random access channels will not associated with a particular outbound TDM channel. A MET chooses a inbound random access channel at random from among those associated with its control group and beam each time a message is to be transmitted. Each control group can support up to 64 inbound random access channels in each beam. 24 of these channels may be required system wide to meet the signaling requirements of a fully loaded system supporting 5000 circuits.

Inband signaling channels (FES-C and MET-C) are provided between the FES and the MET. These channels are used to provide signaling for call setup and call release, and also provide the capability to pass other signaling information while a call is in progress. The FES-C and MET-C channels are operated in two separate modes in “call setup mode”, only signaling messages are carried by the channel. In voice mode voice frames are carried by the channel, but the capability to inject signaling messages by occasionally dropping voice subframes exists. Frames containing inband signaling messages employ a unique word different from that used for frames containing only voice subframes.

Interstation signaling channels (GC-1 and FES-1) are used to pass signaling information between the GC and each of the FESs. These channels operate at a rate of 9.6 to 64 kbit/s and are implemented using either the available 5 MHz Ku-band satellite capacity or terrestrial links. The LAP-F protocol will be employed on those links to ensure reliable transfer of variable length signaling and network management messages.

When a MET is idle (powered on and ready to receive a call) it will continuously receive an Outbound TDM channel in order to receive call announcements associated with incoming calls and obtain status information from bulletin board signaling units. Each MET will be capable of transmitting signaling information to the GC on any of the inbound random access channels or on any of the inbound TDMA channels associated with the outbound TDM channel that it is receiving. During a call a MET will receive and transmit all signaling information via the In-Band signaling channels. No signaling information will be sent to a MET via the outbound TDM channel during a call. Any signaling messages from the GC to the MET will be sent to the MET via the FES through the GC-1 and FES-C channels.

Each group controller supports at least one outbound TDM channel in each of its associated L-band beams. Each outbound TDM signaling channel is continuously transmitted and carries frequency assignments and networks status information from the GC to the METs. The outbound TDM channels are also used to poll idle METs to see if they can accept incoming calls. As this channel is the only way to signal information to a MET not engaged in communications, it must be as robust as possible under harsh fading and shadowing conditions.

Another key element in the MSS system is the need for the METs to be as inexpensive as possible. Towards this end, the outbound TDM channel will have the same rate and modulation as the communications channels. This will maximize the commonality of the receive chain of the MET for communications and signaling. Note that as the demodulation process is much more complex than the modulation process, the inbound random access and inbound TDMA channels do not really require this level of commonality with the communications channel.

The number of outbound TDM channels assigned to each set of signaling channels is determined by the traffic supported by the group controller is that L-band beam. Assignment of METs to outbound TDM channels is made based on a special identifier assigned to each MET as commissioning. This identifier is called the GC-S selector identifier code (GSI). The MET selects the outbound TDM channel to be used by dividing the GSI by the total number of outbound TDM channels available in the given beam. The remainder of the four bit binary division process will form the number of the channel to be used. Each MET will receive only the outbound TDM channel assigned to it. This method allows METs in the same logical grouping to be assigned to the same outbound TDM channel as is needed for the Net Radio Service provided by the MSS System. It also allows the load on the outbound TDM channels to be redistributed quickly if a channel fails or a new channel is added.

The 120 ms frame length was chosen because it would support 6 messages per frame and correspond to the slot size requirement (>120 ms) of the inbound TDMA channel. This allows a direct correspondence between outbound TDM frames and inbound TDMA slots for the purposes of TDMA synchronization and scheduling responses to outbound messages. Eight flush bits are included at the end of each frame to allow the decoder to reset to a known state at the beginning of each frame. This allows more rapid reacquisition following channel fade events. The modulation scheme and transmission rate for this channel will be the same as for the transmission channel, namely QPSK modulation at a transmission rate of 6750 bps. Signaling units within each frame will be coded with a rate 3/4 constraint length K=7 convolutional code.

The outbound TDM superframe has a duration of 360 ms and is made up of three outbound TDM frames. The superframe duration is the basic time interval over which message repetitions are done. Repetitions are used to increase the reliability of outbound TDM signaling units. Messages can be repeated in consecutive superframes. Studies by AUSSAT have shown that L-band fade events typically have durations ranging between 10 ms and 100 ms (2). Because the 120 ms frame would not provide adequate separation between message repetitions, the 360 ms superframe is used to reduce the chance of losing two copies of a message during the same L-band fade event. This repetition method is similar to that used in the AUSSAT system. Different numbers of repetitions may be used for different message types to provide different levels of reliability. The number of repetitions used for a particular message type will be a part of the signaling protocols and can be varied by the system operator. In addition to message repetitions, interleaving will be used to protect against burst errors. The interleaving is provided over a TDM frame and provides improved performance in the presence of short burst errors.

The bulletin board is a set of signaling unit (SUs) that are periodically transmitted by the MCC on all outbound TDM channels. The bulletin board contains global information such as current network status, signaling channel frequencies and inbound random access channel congestion control parameters. Every MET processes the information in the bulletin board METs, on startup, and acquires the entire bulletin board before attempting to use the MSS system. At least one bulletin board SU is transmitted in every outbound TDM frame. Bulletin board SUs are also sent as “filler” SUs, i.e., sent when there are no other SUs pending on the outbound TDM channels. Bulletin board SUs do not occupy any fixed position in the outbound TDM frame.

Bulletin board SUs are grouped into pages of related SUs. Each Bulletin Board page has an update number associated with it, which will be sent with each SU of that page. This number will be incremented by the NCC whenever the information in that page is updated. METs are required to build a local data structure that contains the contents of the bulletin board. Whenever a change in update number is detected for any page, the MET will update the entire data structure for that page with the contents of the bulletin board SUs that follow.

The inbound TDMA channel is used by the METs to transmit responses to call announcement messages and for responses to other messages received on the outboard TDM channel. Each of the inbound TDMA channels is assigned to a particular outbound TDM channel. The number of inbound TDMA channel assigned to a particular outbound TDM channel depends on the traffic supported by that outbound TDM channel and is selectable by the network operator. The TDMA channel is divided into slots of 120 ms duration. Inbound messages consist of 96 bits before coding and 128 bits after rate 3/4 convolutional coding. The resulting burst will occupy 80 ms of the slot, allowing 40 ms of guard time.

This guard time arises due to the uncertainty in round trip transmission time between the satellite and a mobile terminal. Mobile terminals derive their inbound frame timing (for both the TDMA and random access channels) from the outbound TDM frames. Inbound TDMA slots have the same duration as an outbound TDM frame. At a MET each TDMA slot boundary occurs at an outbound TDM frame boundary. If MET A is nearer to the satellite than MET B, MET A will receive the outbound TDM channel At sooner than MET B, where Δt corresponds to the difference in propagation times to the satellite for the two terminals. As a result, if both METs synchronize their transmit timing to their reception of the outbound TDM channel, MET B's responses to messages will take 2Δt longer to reach the satellite than MET A's responses. As additional guard time of 1 symbol time also must be included to account for the ±1/2 symbol synchronization uncertainty in the MET. This results in a total guard time requirement of 2Δt+1 symbol time.

TDMA scheduling is done using a fixed relationship between outbound TDM channel time slots and inbound TDMA channels and slots. The response to a message received in the nth slot of the outbound TDM frame is transmitted on the nth TDMA channel assigned to that outbound TDM channel. The frequencies of the assigned inbound TDMA channels are contained in one of the bulletin board signaling units periodically transmitted in the outbound TDM channel. The response to an outbound message is transmitted in the TDMA time slot that begins 120 ms after the end of the TDM frame in which the outbound message was received. This should provide adequate time for message processing in the MET.

The inbound random access channel is used by the METs to transmit call requests to the GC. It is also used to carry other inbound messages for MET originated actions. The number of inbound random access channels assigned to a particular control group in a particular L-band beam depends on the traffic supported by that control group in that beam and is selectable by the network operator. To provide reasonable call setup times and call loss probabilities these channels are typically be operated at a throughput of approximately 25% or less. As the random access channel is operating at a relatively low throughput, one of the prime goals in its design is that it be bandwidth efficient.

The frequencies used for the random access channels are transmitted in the bulletin board signal units. For each transmission, METs choose at random among the inbound signaling channels assigned to their control group. After transmitting a message, the MET waits a given amount of time for a response. If no response is received within this amount of time, the MET retransmits in a slot selected at random over some given number of slots. This procedure is repeated until either a response is received or a maximum number of transmissions is reached. The bursts on the random access channel are identical to those on the TDMA channel (i.e., modulation, coding, preamble, etc.).

The MET-GC Signaling Protocol (MGSP) procedures send signaling units between GCs and METs via the GC-S, MET-ST and MET-SR channels. This protocol encapsulates functions such as channel selection, channel access, slot timing, error recovery and congestion control. Higher layer functions, such as call processing, use the protocol for communicating among themselves between the METs and GCs.

The relationship of MGSP to other signaling layers in the GC and the MET is shown in FIG. 12. A transaction consists of a command message that is sent from an originating application to a destination application, to which the destination application replies with a response message. Each command and response consists of a signaling unit. The MGSP performs functions such as channel selection, error recovery using retransmission, and repetition of SUs to improve channel reliability. The MGSP at a MET also implements congestion control procedures for the MET-SR channels. Only one outstanding transaction exists between a MET and a GC in a given direction. However, two simultaneous transactions, one in each direction, are supported between a GC and a MET. MGSP also provides a only-way message service, that does not require a response from the receiver.

The improved call setup protocol used to establish a MET originated voice call is shown in FIG. 13. When a MET user initiates a call, the MET formats and transmits an access request message via a random access channel. This message includes the call type and the destination phone number. The group controller chooses an FES to handle the call and sends frequency assignments to the MET via the TDM channel and to the FES via the interstation signaling channel. The FES frequency assignment also includes the call type, the destination phone number to allow the FES to complete the call, and an access security check field used to verify the METs identity. The access security check field is generated by the group controller using the MET frequency assignment and the MET key which is known only to the MET and the group controller.

After the MET receives the frequency assignment, it transmits a scrambling vector message to the FES. This message contains the initial vector to be preloaded into the FES scrambler at the beginning of each voice channel frame. Letting the MET randomly pick this vector provides some degree of privacy on the Ku to L-band link. The scrambling vector message also contains an access security check field generated by the MET using its frequency assignment and its key. The FES compares this field with that received from the group controller to verify the identity of the MET. After receiving the scrambling vector message, the FES and the MET switch from call setup mode to voice frame mode and the FES completes the call to the terrestrial network user.

The improved protocol used for PSTN originated calls is shown in FIG. 14. When a call from a terrestrial network user arrives at an FES, the FES makes a channel request using interstation signaling. This request contains the phone number received from the terrestrial network user. The group controller determines the MET identity based on the phone number and transmits a call announcement via the TDM channel. The MET acknowledges this announcement via the TDMA channel. This exchange allows the group controller to verify that the MET is available before assigning bandwidth to the call. Frequency assignments are then made and the scrambling vector is transmitted by the MET. The call is then completed to the MET user.

MET to MET calls are set up using a double hop connection through an FES. These calls are set up by the group controller and the FES as a MET to PSTN call setup concatenated with a PSTN to MET call setup. As a result the METs require no additional call processing for MET to MET calls. A MET authenticates its identity upon each commissioning event, performance verification event, and call setup event. The authentication process is based upon the use of an encryption function and a MET Access Security Key (ASK) to form an authorization code (the Access Security Check Field) from a random variable (the MET transmit and receive frequency assignments) at the beginning of each event.

Further details of the authentication process and encryption function are set forth in the assignee's copending provisional application Ser. No. 60/007,803, filed Nov. 30, 1995, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Met Roaming

The Mobile Telephone Cellular Roaming Service (MTCR) supplements cellular service, providing access where there is no cellular coverage. The “home” Mobile Switching Center (MSC) of the multimode MET, as defined in EIA/IS-41B, is either the terrestrial cellular mobile carrier (CMC) system or the satellite network system. The MET registers as a “visitor” in either the satellite MSC or a terrestrial cellular system MSC per the requirements of EIA/IS-41B. The visitor registration sequence is provided in FIG. 15. The gateway provides automatic roaming for METs outside the range of terrestrial cellular coverage in accordance with EIA/IS-41B. METs are identified with the same 10-digit telephone number in the terrestrial cellular and satellite networks.

In the idle state, a mobile unit monitors the cellular and satellite signaling channels. The normal cellular procedure is used for terrestrial calls as defined in EIA/TIA 557. Each MET uses the cellular terminal ESN (electronic serial number) and the telephone number for the purposes of identification and registration on the CMC. Upon power up, the MET registers per the requirements of FIG. 16. If unsuccessful, it registers in accordance with the secondary selection, if applicable. If the mobile is in the coverage area of selected preferential service, the MET will not attempt to register as a roamer-in another system until the MET detects the absence of preferential coverage. At that time, the MET attempts to register on the secondary coverage system as a roamer.

If the MET is registered in a secondary coverage system as a roamer, and detects the availability of preferential coverage, it attempts to register (reregister) with the preferential system. However, once a call is established on the satellite system, it remains on the satellite system until completion. Reregistration only occurs after a suitable time delay at the MET to avoid constantly switching between networks. For all reregistrations, a suitable time delay is defined as follows. The MET, upon the loss of a primary service (satellite or cellular) waits, for example, a nominal 6 seconds before attempting to register in the alternate service (cellular or satellite). If the primary service is recovered prior to the expiration of the 6 second delay, the mobile will not attempt reregistration. When registered on the alternate service, the MET will wait a nominal 6 seconds, and will then continuously monitor the availability of the primary service. When the primary service becomes satisfactorily available, the MET will attempt to return the registration to the primary service.

If the primary service is subsequently lost again, the MET will wait a nominal 15 seconds before attempting to register in the alternate service. If the primary service is recovered prior to the expiration of the 15 seconds delay, the mobile will not attempt reregistration. When registered on the alternate service, the MET will wait a nominal 15 seconds, and will continuously monitor the availability of the primary service. When the primary service becomes satisfactorily available, the MET will attempt to return the registration to the primary service.

If the primary service is subsequently lost again (a third or more times), the MET will wait a nominal 30 seconds before attempting to register in the alternate service. If the primary service is recovered prior to the expiration of the 30 second delay, the mobile will not attempt reregistration. When registered on the alternate service, the MET will wait a nominal 30 seconds and will then continuously monitor the availability of the primary service. When the primary service becomes satisfactorily available, the MET will attempt to return the registration to the primary service.

Once the MET has invoked any reregistration, a 5 minute timer will be started. The timer will be reset to minutes for each reregistration. If the 5 minute timer expires, the reregistration delay will be set to a nominal 6 seconds and the cycle will start over again. If both services are lost, the MET will continuously monitor both services, and will attempt to register (reregister) on whichever service becomes satisfactorily available.

MET Data Call

FIG. 17A is a basic block diagram of the functions of the mobile earth terminal including the digital terminal equipment functions. The calling procedures for MET initiated data calls permit standard data terminal equipments (DTEs) connected to METs to place. 2400 bps and 4800 bps data calls to appropriately equipped subscribers of the PSTN or members of private networks, similar to a data call by a standard modem. As discussed below, however, additional functions are required to effectuate the data call in the MET environment. The 2400 bps mode has a fall back rate of 1200 bps. The frame and data field formats for 1200 bps is identical to that for 2400 bps.

The AT command set is a set of commands commonly used for exchange of control information between DTEs and dial up modems. DTEs connected to the MET use a subset of the AT command set to send commands to the MET and receive responses from the MET. The message sequence shown in FIG. 17B is used to establish MET originated data calls. The protocol employed is specified in the event tree given in FIGS. 18-19. A data call is initiated by the transmission of an ATD command from the DTE to the MET. The ATD command contains the telephone number of the destination modem/DTE. The ATD command also contains the desired transmissions speed and the character format to be used.

The message type field of the access request SU indicates that the call is a data call. Upon reception of the MET channel assignment SU, the MET transmits a scrambling vector SU to the FES via the MET-C channel. This message is continuously repeated until data frames are received from the FES. If no response is received after 5 seconds the MET ceases transmission and signals call failure to the user. The scrambling vector SU contains the initial scrambling vector to be used by the FES on the FES-C channel, the access security check field generated by the MET, and the desired character format and line speed for the connection.

Upon successful reception of the scrambling vector SUs, the FES will compare the access security check fields received from the GC and the MET and initiate call release if the fields are not identical. If the access security check fields are identical, the FES will seize a circuit into the PSTN and initiate establishment of the terrestrial portion of the connection. The FES will also switch to data mode and begin transmitting data frames to the MET. Upon reception of the data frames from the FES the MET switches from the call setup frame mode to the data frame mode and continuously transmits data frames to the FES with NULL SUs in the in-band signaling frames until a “connect” SU is received from the FES. For 1200/2400 bps data calls, the MET and FES transmit null SUs in the SU field.

Upon receiving data frames from the MET, the FES will begin transmitting ringing SUs to the MET in the in-band signaling field of the data frames. Upon detection of the PSTN going off-hook, the FES will stop sending ringing SUs and will begin transmitting answer SUs to the MET in the in-band signaling field of the data frames. Upon completion of the handshake and bit rate selection procedures between the FES terrestrial modem and the PSTN user modem, the FES will stop transmitting answer SUs and will begin transmitting “Connect” SUs to the MET. Upon receiving a “Connect” SU from the FES, the MET continuously transmits “Connect Acknowledgment” SUs. Upon receiving a “Connect Acknowledgment” SU from the MET, the FES will cease transmitting connect SUs to the MET.

For data calls the DTE must be involved in the call release procedure. In all other respects the call release procedures for both MET and PSTN initiated data call release is the same as those specified for MET initiated calls. MET originated call release occurs when the DTE issues an ATH command to the MET. When PSTN initiated call release occurs the MET issues a NO CARRIER indication to the DTE. The sequences for MET and PSTN initiated data call release are shown in FIGS. 20-21. The MET continuously transmits “On Hook” SUs until it receives an “On-Hook Acknowledgment” SU or until timers TM5 or TM7 expire.

The data field portion of the data call is used to transport asynchronous data characters. Each data character byte shall consist of either a 7-bit data character representation with a parity bit or an 8-bit character representation. All data characters are transmitted least significant bit first. If a 7-bit data character representation with a parity bits used, the least significant bit shall contain the parity bit. If a 7-bit data character representation without a variety bits used, the least significant bit contains a 0 bit. Valid data characters are transported in the first L data character bytes of the frame, where L is the value of the length parameter contained in the length indicator bytes. All other data character bytes preferably contain a 10101010 pattern.

The format of the length indicator bytes shall be as shown in FIG. 22. The length indicator bytes each contain a 6 bit length parameter that indicates the number of valid data character in the total frame. In addition the length indicator byte contains 2 parity bits used for error detection. The order of transmission of the bits in the length indicator byte is as indicated in FIG. 22.

For PSTN-originated data calls, channel-assignment is as specified for PSTN originated voice calls. The GC will determine that the call is a data call and will indicate this in the call type field of the call announcement and MET channel assignment. FIG. 23 shows a call setup sequence between the PSTN and MET. FIG. 24 illustrates by way of an event tree a call setup sequence between the PSTN and MET.

Upon reception of the MET channel assignment SU the MET transmits a scrambling vector SU to the FES via the MET-C channel. This message is continuously repeated until a response is received from the FES. If no response is received after 5 seconds the MET ceases transmission and signals call failure to the user. Upon successful reception of the scrambling vector SUs, the FES will compare the access security check fields received from the GC and the MET and will initiate call release if the fields are not identical. If the access security check fields are identical, the FES will begin transmitting the ring command SU to the MET. Upon reception of the ring command SU from the FES, the MET signals the MET user either by generating an audible ringing sound or by sending a RING response to the DTE, sets Tm8 to 12 seconds and also transmits the ring command acknowledgment SU until the ATA command is issued by the MET DTE, or upon expiration of timer Tm8. Upon receiving the ring command acknowledgment from the MET, the FES will transmit a call setup complete SU to the GC to notify it that the channel has successfully been established, and will begin transmitting null signal units to the MET. If timer TM8 expires, the MET initiates a call release.

When the MET DTE issues the ATA command the MET switches to the data frame mode, stop Tm8, and set timer Tm9 to 20 seconds. Upon detection of the MET switching to data frame mode, the FES will switch to data frame mode and will signal off-hook to the PSTN. The FES will then complete the modem bit rate selection and handshake procedures with the PSTN user modem based on CCITT Recommendation V.22bis. Upon completion of the modem bit rate selection and handshake procedures, the FES will begin continuously transmitting a connect SU to the MET. The FES continues sending the connect SU until a connect acknowledge SU is received from the MET. Upon receiving the connect acknowledge SU, the FES ceases transmitting connect SUs.

Upon receiving the connect SU from the FES, the MET stops timer Tm9 and sends the connect acknowledge SU to the FES. The MET ceases transmitting connect acknowledgement SUs within 2 seconds of the time at which receipt of connect SUs ceases. If timer Tm9 expires, the MET initiates a call release.

MET Facsimile Call

FIG. 25 is a basic block diagram of the functions of the mobile earth terminal including the facsimile interface unit functions. Facsimile interface units (FIU) are installed in the Feeder Link Earth Stations (FES) and in the MET which communicate with each other by a digital communications channel established in the facsimile data mode. These units enable a terrestrial user's CCITT Group 3 facsimile terminal equipment (FTE) to be interconnected with a MET user's CCITT Group 3 FTE (or between two MET users) via the digital satellite system.

The FIUs perform two basic functions. First, they demodulate the facsimile voiceband signals in the FTE-to-satellite direction (and remodulate the baseband digital signals in the satellite-to-FTE direction). Second, they perform protocol conversions so that the facsimile protocols become compatible with the transport channel constrains of the basic service configuration. To perform these functions, the FIUs consist of several standard elements including Telephone Tone Generators and Detectors; a CCITT V.21 Modulator and Demodulator; and Control Logic for baseband message formatting, facsimile process control, facsimile protocol conversation, call establishment, call control, and call clearing.

The physical interface is preferably characterized using an RJ-11 connector, a 600 ohms signal impedance, a Line Supervision (Detection of Off-Hook and On-Hook), a Minus 24 volt, 30 ma nominal DC source for loop (supervisory) current. The interface preferably provides ringing voltage of 86 Vrms and support up to 5 ring loads, or provides a source over the linear range from 64 Vrms at 50 ms down to a minimum of 40 Vrms at 100 ma. The required generated signaling tones are:

Congestion [480 + 620 Hz (0.25 sec's on and 0.25 sec's off)] Busy [480 + 620 Hz (0.5 sec's on and 0.5 sec's off)] Ring-back [440 + 480 Hz (1 sec on and 1 sec off)] Dial [Reference CCITT E.180:350 + 440 Hz (continuous)-10 Dbm0 nominally]

The FIUs transmit and receive digital signals to an from the satellite 2.4 kbit/ss Data channel in blocks of 288 bits as shown in FIG. 26, which illustrates the sub-field structure of the data channel. In addition, the FIU internally partitions each of the 288-bit data-field into 36, 8-bit data cells. The Digital Facsimile Protocol provides line-state indication by means of the following messages, carried as “line control packets”, which are transmitted at full rate (i.e., 2.4 kbit/s) over the data channel. The coding is described below:

Code Line state 0001 Idle 0010 CED Connection 0100 Spare 0111 Binary Coded Signal Connection 1000 FIU Capabilities Control Packet 1011 Synchronizing Signal Connection 1101 Preamble Connection 1110 Message Connection

The coding is associated with the voiceband signal states as shown below:

Indication Line State Idle No signal on the telephone circuit CED Connection 2100 Hz Called Station Identification (CED) signal on the telephone circuit Binary Coded Sig. 300 bit/s (non-permeable) binary Connection coded procedural signal on the telephone circuit Synch. Signal Modem synchronizing (or Connection training signal on telephone circuit) Preamble Connection 300 bit/s binary coded preamble signal on the telephone circuit Message Connection Facsimile message on the telephone circuit

The special line state “FIU Capabilities Control Packet” is not associated with an analog line state but with in-band signaling between FIUs.

Line control packets are generated whenever a line state transition occurs, and generally always precede the transmission of information (associated with the new line state) over the digital channel. The indication in the line control packet applies to all associated 8-bit data cells of the satellite channel that immediately follow it until a new line control packet is generated. Hence, these line control packets are used as headers of new information. All non-preamble signals of the 300 bit/s binary coded procedural signaling, which are specified in CCITT Recommendation T.30, are transferred to the re-modulating (distant) FIU in the form of a demodulated baseband digital data stream. A re-modulating (or modulating) FIU is defined as the FIU which is receiving data from the satellite channel for modulation and transmission to the customer FTE. A demodulating FIU is defined as the FIU which is receiving data from the customer FTE for demodulation and transmission to the satellite channel. During a call, an FIU will perform both modulating and demodulating functions, as the signal direction between the end-customer FTEs will change several times.

The facsimile message signal (including the TCF signal) is also transferred to the re-modulating FIU in the form of a demodulated digital data stream. Reception of the modem synchronizing signal on the telephone circuit is indicated by the demodulating FIU to the re-modulating FTU by transmitting the “Synchronizing Signal Connection” line control packet. The FIU at the modulating end generates a modem synchronizing signal according to this indication. Detection of the CED signal on the telephone circuit is indicated by the demodulating FIU to the re-modulating FIU by transmitting the “CED Connection” line control packet. (The actual CED signal cannot be transferred to the re-modulating FIU since it is not digital by nature.)

The tonal signaling procedures defined in CCITT Recommendation T.30 are not generally accommodated by the Digital Facsimile Protocol. The Group 3 procedures recommended by CCITT are generally supported by the FIU. Therefore, the FIU is not required to detect the use of tonal signaling procedures. Eventually a Group 1 or Group 2 FTE should clear the call on the analog circuit when it does not receive proper responses from the FIU.

Line control packets are generated whenever a line state transition occurs, and generally always precede the transmission of information (associated with the new line state) over the digital channel. Because these packets are transmitted in-band over the 2.4 kbit/s data channel, they are generated by the demodulating FIU in the FTE-to-satellite direction and removed by the remodulating FIU in the satellite-to-FTE direction. The first bit of the line control packet must be coincident with a data cell boundary. When generating line control packets these are constructed by utilization of 18 data calls as follows:

The first 9 data calls (72 bits) are comprised of nine repetitions of the “11111111” binary octet and are used as a line control preamble to indicated that the following 9 data cells contain line state transition information. The next 8 data cells (64 bits) are comprised of 16 repetitions of the appropriate 4-bit code for the new line state. The final data cell (8 bits) comprises the unique binary word “11000011” which is used to precisely align the user data associated with the new line state. The new line state indicated by a received line control packet does not become effective until the last bit of the line control packet has been received on the satellite channel. Consequently, since line control packets are 18 data cells long, a line control packet inserted into the satellite data stream effectively adds 60 ms to the length of the previous line state.

This is true for receipt of all line control packets except an “Idle” packet when it has been preceded by either a “Binary Coded Signal Connection” packet or a “Message Connection” packet. In either of those two cases, the “Idle” line control packet must be immediately processed (removed from the satellite data stream) when the first, rather than the last bit of the packet is received, thus avoiding a situation where 60 ms of invalid data would be modulated at either the V.21 or V.27ter mode. To accomplish this “early line control packet detection,” the FIU must incorporate a look-ahead buffer between the satellite channel and the FIU software in which it can look ahead 60 ms into the received satellite data stream and identify a valid “Idle” line control packet while in the “Binary Coded Signal Connection” or “Message Connection” line state.

Since, in the special situations, the “Idle” line control packet is removed all at once (instead of removing it over the course of 18 data cell times), the look-ahead buffer will shrink in size as “Idle” line control packets are detected and removed. When the FIU switches from its “modulating” role to its “demodulating” role, the look-ahead buffer may be empty due to the removal of “Idle” line control packets. The buffer must already be filled with satellite data by the time an FIU switches from the “demodulating” role to the “modulating” role. This filling can take place when the FIU is likely to be receiving idle fill over the satellite when it is in the “demodulating” role.

Furthermore, the look-ahead buffer must accommodate two line control packets since, at most, there will be two transitions from “Binary Coded Signal Connection” or “Message Connection” line state to “Idle” line state during a single line turnaround of the half-duplex T.30 facsimile protocol. That is, the buffer must be about 288 bits in size. This will add, at most, 120 ms to the overall delay through the FIU.

The facsimile interface unit (FIU) interworks with a user's CCITT Group 3 facsimile terminal equipment (FTE) through a telephone circuits in accordance with CCITT Recommendation T.30, and with the FIU at the distant end through the satellite channel in accordance with the Digital Facsimile Protocol. To accomplish this, the FIU shall comprise the following standard circuit elements:

CCITT Recommend. V.27 ter [R-27] voice-band data modem;

CCITT Recommendation V.21 [R-28] voice-band data modem;

2100 Hz tone generator and detractor;

1100 Hz interrupted tone generator and detector;

processor/controller; and

elastic buffer, multiplexer/demultiplexer, and interface with the satellite channel unit.

After the FIUs have been switched-in by the FES or the MET in a remote-originated mode (FTE at the opposite FIU has originated the call), the FIU generates the CNG signal (a 1100 Hz interrupted tone) and transmits it to the called user. The CNG signal is terminated following the detection of either the CED signal or a 300 bit/s binary coded procedural signal on the incoming telephone circuit in accordance with the procedures defined in CCITT Recommendation V.25 [R-29]. The characteristics of the CNG signal comply with the relevant requirements specified in CCITT Recommendation T.30.

The called FTE may transmit the CED signal following the connection of the telephone circuit at the called end. The called FIU shall detect the onset and termination of the CED signal on the telephone circuit and shall inform the calling FIU of this e vent by inserting the “CED Connection” line control packet in the satellite channel. The CED signal detector response threshold and times shall be in accordance to CCITT Recommendations T.4, T.30, and V.25 [R.29]. The insertion of the “CED Connection” line control packet in the data channel occurs in the first data-cell to be transmitted after the CED detector output has changed from OFF to ON.

The “CED Connection” line state is changed to “Idle” by transmissions of the “Idle” line control packet in the data channel as soon as the ON-to-OFF transition of the CED signal is detected and a data-cell boundary becomes available, but subject to the restriction that a “Idle” signal gap of 75±20 ms must be inserted (i.e. 22±6 data cells) between the CED signal termination and the following signal (DIS) which is encoded according to the V.21 modulation scheme. That is, there must be at least one data cell between the “Idle” line control packet and the subsequent “Preamble Connection” line control packet (since transmission of the “Preamble Connection” packet contributes 60 ms to the length of the “Idle” line state). It is the responsibility of the FIU to be aware of the (possibly different) on-to-off and off-to-on signal detect times for CED and V.21 Preamble and adjust the generated satellite line control packets accordingly so as to insure a 75±20 ms idle time between different signals.

The called FTE transmits the CED signal following the connection of the telephone circuit at the called end. The called FIU detects the onset and termination of the CED signal on the telephone circuit and informs the calling FIU of this event by inserting the “CED Connection” line control packet in the satellite channel.

The CED signal detector response threshold and times are in accordance to CCITT Recommendations T.4, T.30, and V.25 [R-29]. The insertion of the “CED Connection” line control packet in the data channel occurs in the first data-cell to be transmitted after the CED detector output has changed from OFF to ON.

The “CED Connection” line state shall be changed to “Idle” by transmission of the “Idle” line control packet in the data channel as soon as the ON-to-OFF transition of the CED signal is detected and a data-cell boundary becomes available, but subject to the restriction that a “Idle” signal gap of 75±20 ms must be inserted (i.e. 22±6 data cells) between the CED signal termination and the following signal (DIS) which is encoded according to the V.21 modulation scheme. That is, there must be at least one data cell between the “Idle” line control packet and the subsequent “Preamble Connection” line control packet (since transmission of the “Preamble Connection” packet contributes 60 ms to the length of the “Idle” line state). The FIU detects the (possibly different) on-to-off and off-to-on signal detect times for CED and V.21 Preamble and adjusts the generated satellite line control packets accordingly so as to insure a 75±20 ms idle time between different signals.

A CED signal is generated by the called FTE after the telephone circuit has been connected between the called FIU and the called FTE. The onset and termination of the CED signal on the telephone circuit are detected by the called (demodulating) FIU and signaled to the calling (re-modulating) FIU by means of line control packets. The calling FIU shall generate a CED signal (2100 Hz tone) and shall transmit it to the calling FTE when the line control packet indicates “CED Connection”. The OFF-to-ON instruction to the tone generator shall occur only after the entire “CED Connection” line control packet has been received.

The ON-to-OFF instruction to the tone generator occurs when a new line control packet has been detected by the called FIU. Ideally, the “Idle” line control packet will be received following the “CED Connection” packet, but errors on the satellite channel may corrupt the “Idle” packet so that the “Preamble Connection” packet may be the next one detected. The characteristics of the generated 2100 Hz tone shall comply with the relevant requirements for the CED signal specified in CCITT Recommendations T.30, T.4, and V.25.

The FIU receives and demodulates the binary coded procedural signals which are defined in CCITT Recommendation T.30 and which appear on the incoming telephone circuit. The binary coded procedural signals (except the TCF signal) are modulated at 300 bit/s in accordance with the CCITT Recommendation V.21 modulation system and are preceded by the preamble (sequence of repeated flags) specified in CCITT Recommendation T.30. The TCF signal is modulated at 2.4 kbit/s in accordance with CCITT Recommendation V.27 ter and is preceded by the modem synchronizing signal. The data is transmitted over the satellite channel in the same order as received over the telephone circuit (i.e., the first bit received over the telephone circuit by the demodulating FIU is the first bit to be sent over the satellite channel to the re-modulating FIU).

The non-preamble portion of the V.21 modulated 300 bit/s binary coded procedural signal is defined as the portion of this signal which begins with the first non-Flag octet and ends with the last Flag received after the last HDLC frame. The preamble portion of the 300 bit/s binary coded procedural signal is defined as the portion of the V.21 modulated signal which begins with the first Flag and ends with the last Flag preceding the non-preamble portion (i.e. ends with the Flag preceding the first non-Flag octet of the binary coded information field). This definition is illustrated in FIG. 27.

The demodulated data stream of the non-preamble portion of the 300 bit/s binary coded procedural signal is transmitted to the re-modulating FIU regardless of the error state of the signal. The binary coded Address, Control, and HDLC information fields of the demodulated data (with the exception of the NEF, DIS, and DTC signals) are not generally manipulated by the demodulation process and the FCS field indicates an error condition, the regenerated FCS sequence must be such that it will result in an error condition being detected by the distant FTE, assuming subsequent error-free transmission. Transmission of the data shall be immediately preceded by the transmission of the “Binary Coded Signal Connection” line control packet.

When the demodulating FIU manipulates the DIS, DTC and DCS signals in the manner described in the preceding paragraphs, a new Frame Checking Sequence (FCS) must be computed. However, if the original (prior to manipulation) signal indicates an FCS error, the sequence computed must be such that it will result in an error condition being detected by the distant FTE assuming subsequent error-free transmission. The demodulated, non-preamble data, stream of the 300 bit/s signal is transmitted to the re-modulating FIU over the satellite channel, preceded by the “Binary Coded Sequence Connection” line control packet. The line control packet is delayed by the same amount as that introduced in the preamble in paragraph 10 above and is further aligned to make the first bit of the line control packet coincident with the first bit of a data cell. When reception of the 300 bit/s signal ceases, an “Idle” line control packet shall be inserted in the satellite channel starting at the next available data cell. The response time for the Synchronizing/TCF signal detection is in accordance to CCITT Recommendations T.4, and V.27ter.

The onset of the synchronizing portion of the synchronizing/TCF signal is signaled to the distant FIU by transmitting the “Synchronizing Signal Connection” line control packet. The transmission of the “Synchronizing Signal Connection” line control packet, signifying the transition from the “Idle” to the “Synchronizing Signal Connection” line state, occurs in the first data cell of the satellite data channel after a period of 75±20 ms of idle activity has been transmitted over the satellite channel following the end of the previous (DCS) signal which was originally encoded according to the V.21 modulation scheme. That is, there must be at least one data cell between the “Idle” line control packet and the subsequent “Synchronizing Signal Connection” line control packet (since transmission of the “Synchronizing Signal-Connection” packet contributes 60 ms to the length of the “Idle” line state. The FIU detects the (possibly different) on-to-off and off-to-on signal detect times for V.27 ter and V.21 and adjusts the generated satellite line control packets accordingly so as to insure a 75±20 ms idle time between different signals.

When the line control packet indicate “Synchronizing Signal Connection”, the data stream sent to the distant FIU includes a binary all “zero” sequence irrespective of the demodulated sequence. The “Synchronizing Signal Connection” line state continues until local V.27ter modem training is complete and the first bit of TCF data is demodulated by the local V.27ter modem. The signal activity detector does not detect Segment 2 of the V.27ter training sequence (“No transmitted energy”) as the end of the modem Turn-On sequence. Thus, the Synchronizing Signal Connection line state will apply for at least 225 ms (regardless of the signal activity detector output state).

The demodulated and unscrambled TCF signal (originally a series of binary “zeros”) is transmitted to the re-modulating FIU over the satellite channel, preceded by transmitting the “Message Connection” line control packet. To compensate for the possibility that the demodulating V.27ter modem interprets the end of the modern Turn-On sequence as TCF data, the FIU insures that the first 6 data cells (48 bits) of the TCF data transmitted over the satellite consist of binary “zeros”, no matter what was actually demodulated by the V.27ter modem. The “Message Connection” line control packet and subsequent TCF data is delayed by the same amount as that introduced to the “Synchronizing Signal Connection” line control packet defined in paragraph 17 above, and is further aligned to make the first bit of the line control packet coincident with the first bit of the data cell.

The end of the TCF signal is determined by the FIU, and the tail of the signal is discarded if the number of bits is insufficient to fill the data cell. An “Idle” line control packet shall then be transmitted to the distant FIU in the following data cell.

The re-modulating FIU receives the data stream for the 300 bit/s binary coded procedural signals or the TCF signals (preceded by the “Binary Coded Signal Connection” or “Message Connection” line control packet, respectively) which are transmitted over the satellite by the demodulating FIU. The re-modulating FIU generates the voice-band data signals for the non-preamble portions of the binary coded procedural signals based on the data stream and the relevant line control packet, and transmits them to the FTE on the outgoing telephone circuit. In generating the modulated signals, no manipulation of the data is performed by the re-modulating FIU. If a new Frame Checking Sequence (FCS) is regenerated, and the original signal indicates an FCS error, the sequence computed must be such that it will result in an error condition being detected by the FTE, assuming subsequent error-free transmission.

The modulation applied to the data which have been preceded by the “Binary Coded Signal Connection” line control packet are at 300 bit/s and in accordance with the CCITT Recommendation V.21 modulation system (as specified in CCITT Recommendation T.30). The entire data, after removal of the line control packet, are transmitted to the FTE. The transmission of the 300 bit/s modulated binary coded signal preamble commences immediately after reception of a valid “Preamble Connection” line control packet and continues for as long as no new line state transition in the form of a valid line control packet is received. The Demodulating FIU makes sure that there is at least a 75±20 ms gap between the “Preamble Connection” line state and the preceding line state. The re-modulating FIU must insure that the length of the “Idle” line state indicated on the satellite is correctly reproduced on the analog circuit. If, due to channel errors, the “Preamble Connection” line control packet was not preceded by an “Idle” packet, then the re-modulating FIU must insure that there is 75±20 ms of idle analog line state before the flag sequence begins.

The transmission of the non-preamble 300 bit/s modulated binary coded (non-preamble procedural signals is initiated following the recognition of a line state change from “Preamble Connection” to “Binary Coded Signal Connection” signaled by the reception of a valid “Binary Coded Signal Connection” line control packet from the satellite data channel. The transmission of the non-preamble portion of the 300 bit/s modulated binary coded procedural signals follow the termination of the preamble with no interruption of signal energy on the outgoing telephone circuit. Furthermore, in order to preserve the octet integrity of the preamble being transmitted the 300 bit/s modulated binary coded procedural signals may additionally be delayed by a period of up to 8 data cells.

The transmission of the non-preamble 300 bit/s modulated signals continues until a valid “Idle” line control packet is received from the satellite channel. The FIU “looks ahead” in the received satellite data stream to identify the “Idle” line control packet as soon as its first bit has been received. The “Idle” line control packet, once so identified, will be immediately removed from the satellite data stream and will not contribute an additional 60 ms of time to the existing “Binary Coded Signal Connection” analog line state. In generating the TCF signal, the modulation shall be in accordance with CCITT Recommendation V.27ter.

When the most recently received line control packet indicates “Synchronizing Signal Connection”, a modem synchronizing signal (the long sequence with protection against talker echo as specified in CCITT Recommendation V.27 ter) shall be generated by the re-modulating FIU. Transmission of the modem synchronizing signal is initiated only after the line state change from “Idle” to “Synchronizing Signal Connection” has been detected by the reception of a valid “Synchronizing Signal Connection” line control packet. If the Synchronizing Signal has been preceded by a signal encoded according to the V.21 modulation scheme in the same direction of transmission (i.e. DCS), the demodulating FIU has made sure that the duration of the “Idle” line state between the last flag of the “DCS” message and the start of the “Synchronizing Signal Connection” line state is at least 75±20 ms. The re-modulating FIU must insure that the duration of this “Idle” line state is accurately reproduced on the analog circuit. If, due to channel errors, the “Synchronizing Signal Connection” line control packet was not preceded by an “Idle” packet, then the re-modulating FIU insures that there is 75±20 ms of idle analog line state before the flag sequence begins.

The synchronizing signal is followed, without an interruption of signal energy, by a signal modulated by the received TCF data (after removal of the “Message Connection” line control packet which will take an additional 60 ms). The received data is delayed as appropriate, to allow the first effective bit of data preceded by the “Message Connection” indication to coincide with the first bit which follows the synchronizing signal in the modulated signal. Ideally, the FIU will insure that data consisting of binary “zeros” is modulated in the event that v.27ter modem training completes before the “Message Connection” line control packet is received over the satellite. This situation could occur because of the tolerance allowed in V.27ter for the modem Turn-On sequence. Once the “Message Connection” line control packet is received, TCF data is modulated without modification by the FIU.

The TCF signal is almost immediately terminated upon reception of a valid “Idle” line control packet from the satellite channel. The FIU “looks ahead” in the received satellite data stream to identify the “Idle” line control packet as soon as its first bit has been received. The “Idle” line control packet, once so identified, will be almost immediately removed from the satellite data stream and will not contribute an additional 60 ms of time to the existing “Message Connection” analog line state.

The demodulating FIU receives and demodulates facsimile message signals modulated at 2400 bit/s using the CCITT Recommendation V.27 ter modulation system, as defined in CCITT Recommendation T.4. Each transmission of a message is preceded by the modem synchronizing signal specified in the CCITT V.27 ter. The onset of the synchronizing signal portion of the synchronizing facsimile message signal on the incoming telephone circuit is detected by the demodulating FIU and signaled to the re-modulating FIU by transmitting the “Synchronizing Signal Connection” line control packet over the satellite data channel in the first available data cell.

When CCITT V. 27ter modem training has completed, the demodulating FIU inserts a “Message Connection” line control packet in the satellite data stream as soon as the first bit of valid demodulated data is available. Transmission of the demodulated data over the satellite is preferably in the same bit order as it was received on the analog circuit. The demodulated facsimile message is not generally manipulated in any way by the demodulating FIU. The tail of the facsimile message signal is detected by the demodulating FIU. The “Idle” line control packet is then transmitted to the re-modulating FIU. The “Idle” line control packet is transmitted to the re-modulating FIU in the data cell following the last bit of the last HDLC frame containing the last bit message data. If insufficient data is demodulated to fill a complete satellite data cell, it will be padded with binary “zeroes” in order reach a data cell boundary.

The re-modulating FIU receives the facsimile message data stream which is transmitted over the satellite channel by the demodulating FIU, preceded by a “Message Connection” line control packet. When the most recently received line control packet indicates “Synchronizing Signal Connection” the long modem synchronizing sequence with protection against talker echo specified in CCITT Recommendation V.27ter is generated by the re-modulating FIU. The re-modulating FIU generates a voice-band data signal for the facsimile message signal, based on the received data stream, and transmits it to the FTE using 2.5 kbit/s modulation in accordance with CCITT Recommendation V.27ter.

The synchronizing signal is followed, without an interruption of signal energy, by a signal modulated by the received data, which is introduced by the “Message Connection” line control packet. Modulation of this data may be delayed to allow the first bit of data to coincide with the first bit which follows the modem synchronizing signal. It may also happen that local modem V.27ter training takes less time than that experienced at the demodulating FIU, as indicated by the local V.27ter modem completing its synchronizing phase before the arrival of the “Message Connection” line control packet. In this case, the FIU insures that binary data consisting of all “ones” should be inserted in the modulated data stream as fill until the arrival of the “Message Connection” line control packet. Then, insertion of fill will cease and the relevant data cells received over the satellite will be modulated on the analog circuit starting with the next available bit position in the modulated data stream.

The Message signal is almost immediately terminated on completion of the last bit of data as indicated by receipt of the “Idle” line control packet. The FIU “looks ahead” in the received satellite data stream to identify the “Idle” line control packet as soon as its first bit has been received. The “Idle” line control packet, once so identified, will be immediately removed from the satellite data stream and will not contribute an additional 60 ms of time to the existing “Message Connection” analog line state.

The FIUs, in the course of performing the processing tasks (e.g. signal detection, elastic buffering, signal buffering, line control packet generation and “look ahead”) may introduce additional delays along the signal path from one FTE to another. The total throughout delay introduced by each FIU is implementation dependent but must not be greater than 1 second end-to-end. That is, the sum of the delay through the originating FIU plus the delay through the destination FIU must not exceed this value in either direction of data flow. This figure includes delays associated with the modulator and demodulator, the FIU itself and the FIU-to-modem interface. It does not include satellite transmission delay or delay through the PSTN network.

Delays due to satellite transmission and PSTN transmission should not exceed 0.5 seconds. This may require the selection of low-delay PSTN connections at the FES. The total delay, therefore, between FTEs should not exceed 1.5 seconds in either direction of data flow.

When the FES detects that a facsimile call is in progress, it will “switch-in” the FES FIU and signal to it whether this is a fixed or mobile-originated call. When the FES FIU has been switched-in with a fixed-originated call, it may receive a CNG tone from the FTE but this is ignored. It may also eventually receive a V.21 message from the FTE containing a DCN frame in the event that the FTE times out while waiting for a message from the MET FTE. Primarily, the FES FIU will be awaiting a signal from the MET FTU. When the FES FIU has been switched-in with a mobile-originated call, it will start generating CNG tone on the analog circuit to the FTE. It will also be prepared to detect either CED tone or the onset of V.21 preamble. In either case, it will cease generation of the CNG tone as soon as either of these two signals has been detected.

The FES will “switch-out” the FES FIU when it detects that the satellite or PSTN call has cleared. The FIU will immediately cease operations both on the satellite and analog connections. Since there maybe significant buffering of satellite or analog data both inside and outside the FIU, the FES will delay implementing the switch-out operation until it is certain that all buffered data has been delivered to the appropriate channel (and thus to either the MET or the analog FTE).

When the MET detects that a facsimile call is in progress, it will “switch-in” the MET FIU and signal to it whether this is a fixed or mobile-originated call. When the MET FIU has been switched-in with a mobile-originated call, it may receive a CNG tone from the FTE but this is ignored. It may also eventually receive a V.212 message from the FTE containing a DCN frame in the event that the FTE times out while waiting for a message from the FES FTE. Primarily the MET FIU will be awaiting a signal from the FES FIU. When the MET FIU has been switched-in with a fixed-originated call, it will start generating CNG tone on the analog circuit to the FTE. It will also be prepared to detect either CED tone or the onset of V.21 preamble. In either case, it will cease generation of the CNG tone as soon as either of these two signals has been detected.

The GC and the NCC

FIG. 28 illustrates the Network Communications Center (NCC) and the elements contained therein. The Group Controller (GC) resides in the Network Communications Center (NCC) system element within the CGS and provides call control and satellite resource management for:

Circuit-switched voice, FAX, and data calls;

Integrated Voice and Data MT (IVDM) voice calls;

Satellite trunked radio calls.

It controls setup, monitoring, and cleardown of calls between MTs, IVDMs, Net Radio MTs, and terrestrial users. It also provides AMS(R)S Provisioning, Control Group Reconfiguration, MT and FES PVT and Commissioning support, and Performance and Status Monitoring.

The primary function of the GC is the management of customer Control Groups. Control Groups identify groups of MTs/IVDMs which have access to CGS, the satellite and network resources that have been allocated to them for sending/receiving calls, and the service permissions and calling restrictions that apply to each MT/IVDM. Control Groups also contain Virtual Networks (VNs), which define the routing options that apply to each MT or IVDM in the Control Group and Circuit Pools, which control the allocation of use of satellite circuits for circuit-switched calls.

FIG. 29 illustrates the NCC logical architecture. The Group Controller consists of five top level components which perform the following functions:

1. Call Management

This component performs:

Call setup/monitoring for:

a. MT-to-MT, MT-to-PSTN/PN, PSTN/PN-to-MT calls

b. MT initiated NET Radio Calls

c. Dispatch initiated Net Radio, Private Mode, Broadcast, and Priority 1 calls.

MT Management, including:

MT Logon, GC-S Change, MT Shutdown, and MT Parameter Update, Visitor Registration;

Preemption of calls for AMS(R)S provisioning of satellite bandwidth and power.

MT Commissioning and PVT.

2. Resource Management

This component performs resource management and reconfiguration, including:

allocation/deallocation of satellite resources during call setup/cleardown

incremental/complete reconfiguration of local Control Group databases

address screening

MT authorization

call routing

Virtual Network configuration

3. Configuration Management

This component performs executive control for:

Control Group configurations;

AMS(R)S requests

4. MT ASK Management

This component performs:

secure MT and NET ASK database management

real-time check field generated for call processing

ASK generation after completing commissioning/PVTs for Enhanced Fraud

5. Utilities

This component is the common utility set for the GC including:

MGSP

Call Record Management

Performance and Traffic Statistics generation

Congestion Control

Memory Management

X.25 interface.

The NCC provides real time call processing for users of the CGS by assigning resources on a per call basis. The NCC operates under the administrative control of and is monitored by the NOC. The NCC manages access of users of the space resources allocated to the NCC by the NOC. The NCC provides system monitoring and testing functions to support FES and MT commissioning and periodic performance verification testing. A single NCC provides these functions for an entire network carrying the full traffic load. In the event that the NOC is not available, the NCC contains a backup operator interface capable of monitoring and controlling the ongoing provision of services to customers and which is capable of providing emergency AMS(R)S provisioning.

Logically, the NCC is divided into two functional groupings, namely RFE and processing/management functions. Physically, the NCC is similarly divided into RFE and terminal equipment which performs the processing/management functions. The NCC terminal equipment is composed of an integrated set of hardware that is shared with the NOC and FES elements. From the NCC perspective, the hardware is composed of three sets of equipment which include the Circuit Switched Management Processor (CSMP), Network Access Processors (NAPs), and Channel Units (CUs). The NAP functions for the NCC consist of Network Access Processors for Signaling (NAP-S), Network Access Processors for Communications and Testing (NAP-C(Test)), and Bridges Modems for Interstation Signaling Channel Units. Both the NAP-S and NAP-C(Test) have channel units associated with them. The NAPs, Bridges and Channel Units together form the NAP-CU HWCI. There are two styles of NAPs, namely, the Circuit Switched NAP and the Data NAP. The Circuit Switched NAP performs the out-of-band signaling (NAP-S) functions or communications (NAP-C) functions. A block diagram of the circuit switched NAP is shown in FIG. 30.

The NAP is PC-based and contains a processor card, and SDLC card forming the interface with up to 24 channel units, an ethernet card providing the interface to ethernet B in the CSMP, and a distribution card. The distribution card provides a DS-1 interface between the gateway or base switch in the FES and the communications channel units, and a frame clock distribution function between the RF equipment and the out-of-band signaling channel units. NAPs are used in pairs for redundancy with an on-line and an off-line NAP or NAPs A & B. Each NAP monitors the condition of the other and takes over processing when a failure is detected or by operator (NOC or backup NCC) command via the system common software CSCI Site Manager function. The NAP-S and NAP-C connect to a channel unit of the same type which forms the interface to the RFE for signaling and. communications. The CUs are hardware identical and take on their operational personality (S or C) with a software download when they are initialized. A block diagram of the CU is shown in FIG. 31.

The CUs are composed of two major sections: the Baseband Signal Processor Unit (BSPU) and the Channel Signal Processing Unit (CSPU). The CU interfaces to the NAP are shown on the left and the interfaces to the RFE are shown on the right. The sub-element processor types are noted in the diagram.

The BSPU is composed of three major functions: the SDLC Controller (Z80235), Monitor & Control (80186EC) and the voice/modulated data processing (twin TMS320C31). The SDLC Controller provides the interface between the main and redundant NAPs. The Monitor & Control function provides the central control and status focus. This processor also supports the software downloads to a given CUs set of processor sub-elements. The pair of TMS320C31 processors provide the functional processing for echo cancellation, rate adapting and detection, mu-law linear decompression, CODEC, voice, voice modulated data, FAX.

The CSPU is composed of a DSP, I/Q channel A/Ds & D/As, L-Band transmit synthesizer and L-Band receive synthesizer. The major functions performed by the DSP include data framing, encoding/decoding, interleaving, scrambling/descrambling. The DSP operates on digital data from the receive synthesizer A/Ds and supplies digital data to the D/As for transmission via the transmit synthesizer. As noted earlier, there are up to 24 CUs controlled by a single NAP pair (i.e., main/redundant).

NCC Terminal Equipment Software

The NCC element is composed of a GC CSCI hosted on the CSMP, a NAP CSCI hosted on the NAP processor and the CU CSCI hosted on the set of CU processors as shown in FIG. 31. The NCC element also requires some portions of the SCS CSCI which is hosted on the CSMP. Both the NAP CSCI and the CU CSCI require a communications version and a signaling version of these SCS CSCIs. Both versions execute on the same physical H/W configuration type. The functions of the NCC element are implemented by a set of software processes as follows:

CSCI Process Major Function GC CSCI Call Call Processing Config GC Database Configuration Management Monitor Call record/statistics manager ASK Config ASK Configuration Database manager Check Field Check Field Generation GC Router GC message router GC Router Config GC router DB Configuration Manager Config Requester Configuration access by call processing ASK Requester ASK database access (AMSC only) SCS CSCI VAX, NAP message Distribute NAP oriented messages VAX, VAX message Distribute VAX to VAX messages Process Control Monitors VAX processes Site Manager (NR) Non-real time network management Site Manager (R) Real time network management NAP CSCI BB-PDU Bulletin board processing NAP-PM Collect/report performance data NAP-I/O Process I/O in and out of NAP CU CSCI CU-CM Perform MT PVT & commissioning tests CU-SM Perform signaling channel functions CU-LIB Common CU support functions

The SCS CSCI is primarily responsible for network management functions. Software and hardware objects are managed and status and events reported to the NOC.

The NAP CSCI performs both call processing and network management functions. Interaction with the GC is established for receiving the GC-S signaling units for transmission via the SCU to the MTs. The NAP also returns to the GC the SUs received from MTs via the MT-SR and MT-ST channels.

The GC CSCI includes the following databases:

GC Local Configuration Database

I. MT Database

MT Basic Data Table

MT VN Memberships Table

MINData Table

MT Restrictions Table

DN Data Table

MT Net Memberships Table

MT Class Table

II. Virtual Network Database

VN Data Table

Routing Lists Table

VN NPA Table

III. Circuit Pool Database

Circuit Pool Table

Freq. Segment Table

Frequency Table

CP Beam Table

CP Queue Table

Power Table

Beam Table

IV. Net ID Database

Net Table

Net Beam Table

V. FES Status Tables

FES Table

CUP Table

VI. Call Process Event Timers

VII. Control Group Operational Parameters Table

VIII. Hash Tables

MT Database Hash Tables (RTIN, MIN and DN)

Virtual Network DB Hash Table

Routing List DB Hash Tables

Circuit Pool DB Hash Table

Net DB Hash Table

FES Status DB Hash Table

PERF/STAT Tables

Site Manager/GC Buffer Pointers

X. Virtual Network Counters Table

TDM Change Requests Table

XI.

Circuit Pool Status Counters Table

Circuit Pool Counters Table

Circuit Pool Queue Table

Spacecraft Power Table

MTs-on-Beam Table

MTs-commissioned Table

MT-SR Message Retries Table

MT-SR Congestion Events Table

GC-S Message Retries Table

IS Signaling Channel Stats Table

Call Record/Activity Tables

XII. Activity Tables

Call ID Activity Table

Net ID Activity Table

RTIN Activity Table

XIII. Call Record Tables

MTS Call Record

Net Radio Call Records

MT Management Call Records

GC Processes and Inter-process Communications

In the preferred system configuration, the Group Controller resides on one VAX ft 810 and executes in multiple concurrent asynchronous VMS processes which timeshare the CPU. The functionality of each GC process is as herein described. The inter-process communications links are identified in the GC Process Diagrams of FIGS. 33A-33E.

GC Process Architecture

The GC is made up of the VMS processes listed below. There are two Process Groups: the GC Controller (GCC) group, and Control Group Management (CGM) group. The GCC and CGM Process Groups are described below.

Process Name Priority Process Group Configuration Non-real-time Control Group Mgmt Process Call Process Real-time, Control Group Mgmt Monitor Near Control Group Mgmt Process real-time Check Field Real-time GC Controller Generator Process ASK Configura- Non-real-time GC Controller tion Manager Process Router Real-time GC Controller Process Router Con- Non-real-time GC Controller figuration

Highest priority is given to the real-time processes for call handling. Second priority is given to near-real-time processes, which support call handling by forwarding call records and supplying call traffic and performance data to the NOC. Third priority is given to the non-real-time processes which support ASK and Control Group reconfiguration at the GC.

The GC processes are event-driven; between events, a process waits for input on a queue. To reduce system load, waits are non-CPU-intensive. The highest priority processes are driven by call events; the lowest priority processes are driven by NOC requests, Call Process requests, and internal timers set to configurable monitoring intervals. In addition to input from its queue, a process may use memory tables or disk files, as shown on the Process Diagrams, for data required to process an event.

Distributed Processing

The GC architecture accommodates a move to multiple processors. The GC is divided into GC Controller (GCC) processes, and Control Group Manager (CGM) processes. In a distributed environment, there would be one GC Controller, consisting of the GC Router and both ASK Manager processes, supporting one to 16 Control Group Managers. CGMs function independently and can be distributed on multiple processors. A CGM can manage 1 to 16 Control Groups, so there can be one CGM for all Control Groups (the current configuration) or up to 16 distributed CGMs (one CGYM for each Control Group). All processes for a CGM must be co-resident. The GCC can share a processor with one or more CGMs, or can reside on a separate processor. The ASK Manager is stand-alone, and can be hosted on a separate processor in any GC configuration.

The GC Process Diagrams in FIGS. 33A-33E illustrate the GC Processes and communications mechanisms. Specifically FIG. 33A presents the GC Level 1 diagrams, FIG. 33B shows the Call Manager Level 2 diagrams, FIG. 33C shows the Resource Manager Level 2 diagrams, FIG. 33D shows the Utilities Level 2 diagrams, and FIG. 33E shows the MT ASK Manager Level 2 diagrams. GC Subsystems illustrated in FIG. 34 comprise the component subsystems in the Group Controller and indicate where call processing and network management interfaces occur. The FIG. 35 diagram of the GC Processes and Shared Memory shows the GC processes and shared memory tables. FIGS. 36, 37 and 38 show the input queues, mailboxes, shared memory areas, and files accessed by the Control Group Management Processes (GC CGM Inter-process Communications), the ASK Manager processes (GC ASK Inter-process Communications), and the GC Router processes (GC Router Inter-process Communications).

The queued inter-process communications diagrams of FIGS. 39 and 40 show process stimulus and communication for a representative call thread (GC Queued Inter-Process Communications Sequence for MT-PSTN Call), and a representative reconfiguration thread (GC Queued Inter-Process Communications for Incremental Reconfiguration). They trace the paths of messages between the GC processes, showing how one process stimulates another via message queuing, to illustrate the sequence of handoffs in the GC's concurrent processing of call and configuration messages.

Process Descriptions

Configuration Process

The Configuration (Config) Process has multiple configuration control tasks.

1. U-dating the local GC Configuration Database

The Config Process controls the GC processing of Control Group reconfigurations. It receives database transactions from the NOC via the DEC COTS product Reliable Transaction Router (RTR), prepares the update, loads the new data into memory, and coordinates with the Call Process to complete the update. The processing and synchronization of the Config and Call processes during a configuration change is designed to minimize interference with active calls. ASK reconfigurations are handled by the ASK Configuration Manager.

2. Distributing GC-initiated database updates

The Config Process performs dual RTR roles. It performs as a server in NOC-initiated updates (#1, above) and a requester (client role) in GC-initiated database updates. As an RTR requester, the GC initiates RTR transactions to distribute changes that originated in the GC Call Process. One example of a GC initiated update is the change of a MT state following commissioning; another is the GC's initiation of a bulletin board update for congestion control.

3. Processing AMS(R)S Provisioning Requests from the NOC

Config receives AMS(R)S circuit requests, sends circuit blocking commands to the Call Process, and returns the requested circuits to the NOC when they become available.

CM process CSCs GM000_Configuration_Manager  GM1000_CG_Reconfiguration - Control Group reconfiguration MLSCS   GM1100_RTR-Agent - RTR Interface manager LLCSC   GM1200_AMSRS_Manager - AMS(R)S provisioning management LLCSC   GM1300_BB_Manager - Bulletin Board manage- ment LLCSC GR0000_Resource_Manager  GR1100_CP_Config_Mgr - Circuit Pool Config Management LLCSC  GR1200_VN_Config_Mgr - VN config Management LLCSC  GR1300_MT_Config_Mgr - MT configuration Management LLCSC  GR3010_MT_DB_Utilities - MT Database Utilities LLCSC  GR5100_Net_Config_Mgr - Net Radio Config management LLCSC

Config Process Input Queues

The Config Process has one RTR queue for reconfiguration messages from the NOC, including AMS(R)S requests. It also has a VMS mailbox for the CGS Software Backplane Process Control interface, and a mailbox for internal timer notification.

Call Process

The Call Process is the heart of the real-time GC processing. It incorporates the Finite State Machines (FSMs) for Call Processing (including Net Radio), MT Management, AMS(R)S Provisioning, and PVT/Commissioning. It also contains resource database access routines, error handlers, timers and utility functions that support the FSMs.

The input queues are prioritized as indicated on the GC CGM Inter-process Communications Diagram. Incoming messages from each queue are processed in order. When an FSM message/event is processed, the Call Process maps the message or event to its state data, performs the state transition processing, and establishes the next state. Errors occurring in a state transition are handled by error routines associated with the current state in the FSM. State data is maintained in the Active Call Record Table, which allows shared read-access for use by support functions in the Monitor process

Call Process CSCs GC000_Call_Manager - All Call Manager CSCs are in this pro- cess GR0000_Resource_Manager  GR1000_Circuit_Pool_Manager - Circuit Pool Manage- ment MLCSC   GR1200_Circuit Request_Mgr - Circuit Request Management LLCSC   GR1300_Release_Request_Mgr - Circuit Release Management LLCSC   GR1400_CP_Queue_Mgr - Call Priority Queue Management LLCSC   GR1500_CP_Statistics_Mgr - Circuit Pool Statistics Management LLCSC GR2000_VN_Manager - Virtual Network management MLCSC  GR2200_VN_Request Mgr - Virtual Network Data request Mgmt LLCSC  GR2300_Routing_Mgr - Virtual Network Routing Mgmt LLCSC  GR2400_FES_Resource_Mgr - Virtual Network FES Resource MGMT LLCSC GR3000_MT_Manager - Database management MLCSC  GR3100_MT_Config_Mgr - MT configuration Management LLCSC  GR3200_MT_Data_Request_Mgr - MT data request management LLCSC GR4000_SC_Manager - Signaling Channel management MLCSC GR5000_Net_Manager - Net Radio DB management MLSCS GR6000_Resource-Startup_Mgr - Database initiali- zation MLCSC GU000_Utilities - GC Utilities and Reuse TLCSC  GU1000_MGSP - MGSP routines MLCSC  GU3100_Call_Record_Mgr - Call Record Manager LLCSC   GU3100_Call Record-Request - Call Record Request CSUG  GU3300_Congestion - Congestion Manager LLCSC  GU5000_Timer - Timer utilities MLCSC  GU6000_Memory_Management - Memory Management Utilities MLCSC  GU7000_Activity_Table_Mgr - Activity Table Utilities MLCSC

Call Process Input Queues

The Call Process has one input queue established via the CGS Backplane for signaling units, and Access security Check Fields (generated by the ASK Manager). It also has VMS mailboxes for the CGS Software Backplane Process Control interface, internal time notification, internal messages (such as Circuits Available), AMS(R)S requests, and control group reconfiguration requests from the Configuration Process.

Monitor Process

The Monitor Process provides the following Call Process support functions:

1 Forward Call Records to the NOC

2 Buffer Call Records on disk

3 Save the MT Access Event History on disk

4 Generate call traffic statistics

5 Respond to Call Search Requests

6 Respond to Call Record Leftover Requests

Items 1-3 above are performed when a Call record is terminated. The monitor process receives the Call Record from the Call Process, in a Call Termination message. The termination message for Net Radio call records may also include Priority 1 data from the SLSS to be appended to the Call Record. This process forwards the final Call Record data to the NOC, increments counters for call statistics, stores the Call Record on disk for backup in case the NOC goes down, and stores the MT Access Event History on disk. the MT Access Event History buffers that last ten accesses by MT by storing the time stamp of the end of the call, termination reason, and access type (such as MT Management, Call, NR, etc.).

The following CSUGs perform items 1-3 above:

GU3100_Call_Record_Manager - Call Record Manager LLCSC GU3120_Call_Record_Disk_Request - Call Record Disk Request CSUG GU3140_MT-Access_History_Request - MT Access - History request CSUG

Statistics (Item 4) are generated by the Statistics Manager and polled by the Site Manager (DECmcc Agent) at configurable time intervals. These data are derived from the Call Process (via the terminated Call Records), and stored in shared memory tables for the Site Manager (DECmcc Agent).

Call Search requests (Item 5) are sent by the NOC to request the current Call Record (if one exists) of a specific MT, and its Access Event History. The Monitor has read-access to the Active Call Record Table maintained by the Call Process for retrieving the call ID and call record, if it exists, for a MT.

The following CSC processes Call Search requests:

GU3100_Call_Record_Manager - Call Record Manager LLCSC GU3140_MT-Access_History-Req. - MT Access History Request CSUG

Call Record Leftover requests (Item 6) are sent by the NOC when they are back online after some period of down-time. The request contains the ID of the last Call Record received by the NOC. The Monitor Process retrieves later records which it buffered on disk while the NOC was down.

The following CSUG reads the Call Record buffer and sends the Call Records to the NOC:

GU3100_Call_Record_Manager - Call Record Manager LLCSC GU3120_Call_Record_Disk_Request - Call Record Disk Request CSUG

The following CSCs are included in the Perf process to provide timers and Active Call Record look-ups:

GU5000_Timer - Timer utilities MLCSC GU7000_Activity_Tab1e_Manager - Activity Table Utilities MLCSC

Monitor Process Input Queues

The Monitor process has one input queue, established via the CGS Backplane, to receive Call Record Requests and Call Search Requests requests from the NOC. It has a VMS mailbox to receive terminated call records from the Call Process, a mailbox for the CGS Software Backplane Process Control interface, and a mailbox for internal timer notification.

GC Router Process

This process routes Call Process messages which do not have a Control Group ID.

The GC Message Router contains the following CSC:

GM2000_GC_Controller - GC Controller Process MLCSC  GM2100_Router - GC Message Router LLCSC

Router Process Input Queues

The GC Message Router Process has one input queue established via the CGS Backplane to receive incoming SUs for internal routing. It also has a VMS mailbox for the CGS Software Backplane Process Control interface, and a mailbox to receive reconfiguration messages from the GC Router Configuration Process.

GC Router Configuration Process

This process is an RTR server process to accept reconfiguration transactions from the NOC. This server is only notified of updates when the change affects the Control Group ID of a MT/MIN,IVDM, or Net Radio MT. It cooperates with the router process in the same manner that the Config Process cooperates with the Call Process to complete a transaction.

The GC Router Configuration Process contains the following CSC:

GM2000_GC_Controller—GC Controller Process MLCSC GM 2200_GC_Router_Config

Router

This Process has an RTR input queue. It also has a VMS mailbox for the CGS Software Backplane Process Control interface.

ASK Configuration Manager Process

The ASK Configuration Manager Process configures the ASK database, based on NOC inputs. It has the following CSCs:

GA1000_ASK_Reconfiguration - ASK reconfiguration MLCSC GA3000_ASK_Encryption - ASK Encryption algorithms MLCSC

ASK Config Process Input Queues

The ASK Config Process has one RTR input queue. It also has a VMS mailbox for the CGS Software Backplane Process Control interface.

Check Field Generator Process

The Check Field Generator generates MT and Net Radio Check Fields in response to Call Process requests. It also receives ASK reconfigurations from the ASK Config Process, which it stores in the memory-resident ASK database.

It includes the following CSCS:

GA2000_Check_Field_Generator - MT/NET ID Check field generation MLCSC GA3000_ASK_Encryption - ASK Encryption algo- rithms MLCSC

Check Field Process Input Queues

This process has one input queue established via the CGS Backplane to receive check field requests from the Call Manager. This interface is via the Message Layer because the ASK Manager may not be co-resident with the Call Process it serves. It also has a VMS mailbox for the CGS Software Backplane Process Control interface, and a mailbox to receive configuration messages from the ASK Config Process.

GC Queues Inter-Process Communications Sequence Example: MT-PSTN Call

Processing Description

1. When a MT Access Request is received on the real-time CALL event queue, the CALL process sets up the call record, establishes a MT Activity Table entry for the call and determines whether the dialed digits in the Access Request SU are complete.

2. If additional digits are required, the CALL process sends out a request to the MT (see following Note 1 and the following referenced notes) and sets a timer for the expected response.

3. When the additional digits are received, the CALL process cancels the Additional Digits Request timer. (Note 2)

4. The CALL process validates the MT,l performs address screening, service permission checks, and routing. If all checks succeed, it allocates circuits and updates the OFFLINE GC CALL UPDATES process.

5. The CALL process requests the Access Security Check Field from the CHECK FIELD process. It sets a timer for the expected response (Note 3). When the Check Field is received, the CALL process cancels the timer for the request.

6. The CALL process sends out Channel Assignments to the MT and FES. It sets a timer and waits for the Setup Complete message (Note 3).

7. When the Setup Complete is received from the SLSS, the CALL process cancels the Setup timer, updates the OFFLINE GC CALL UPDATES process, and sets a timer for the Call Status Monitoring interval. (Note 2)

8. When the Call Status Monitoring timer expires, the timer in the CALL Process notifies the Call Manager which sends out a Call Status Request and sets a timer for the response. When the Call Status Reply is received, the CALL process resets the monitoring interval timer. (Note 2)

9. When the Channel Release is received, the CALL process cancels the Monitor timer and closes out the call by releasing resources, clearing the activity table, and sending a call termination event to the MONITOR process.

10. The MONITOR process closes out the call record, updates the OFFLINE GC CALL UP-DATES process, performs any Statistics generation required, sends the call record to the NOC, and Buffers the call record to disk.

Note 1: All messages to/from the MT are sent via the NAP-S.

Note 2: If the response has not been received before the timer expired, the timer in the CALL process would have notified the Call Manager, which would have performed appropriate error handling.

Note 3: The CALL process can process other calls while it awaits for a response from another process on any given call.

GC Queued Inter-process Communications Example Incremental Reconfiguration

Processing Description

1. When a distributed database transaction from the NOC is received on the GC's RTR queue, the CONFIG process reads the transaction and prepares an update to the Local GC Configuration database. When the preparation and validation are complete, the CONFIG process waits for a vote request from the NOC. The CALL process cannot access the new data until the distributed transaction is complete.

2. When the CONFIG receives a vote request via RTR, it returns the GC vote. The GC will return VOTE/COMMIT if its local database validation and update preparation were successful, or VOTE/ABORT if an error occurred while processing the update. After casting the GC vote, the CONFIG process waits for a return code from RTR, indicating the final status of the transaction. Final status is determined by RTR from the votes cast by all participants.

3. If the final status of the transaction is COMMIT, then CONFIG sends a message to CALL informing it of the reconfiguration. CALL updates its links to the reconfigured data and acknowledges the completion of the update. CALL can now access the data.

4. When the update is complete, the CONFIG process sends a Reconfiguration Event to the NOC via the DECmcc AGENT process.

A-Both the Online and Offline GC's participate in a Control Group reconfiguration since the Offline GC serves as another RTR partner in each distributed Control Group transaction. The processing is the same cases.

NCC On/Off Line Switchover Process

As noted earlier, the fully expanded CGS system includes a second NCC or alternate NCC. This separate physical copy of the NCC maintains near real time communication with the active on-line NOC and the active on-line NCC via the MSS Internetwork using the TCP/IP protocol. The MSS Internetwork communication path allows the alternate NCC to be geographically separated from the on-line NOC and the on-line NCC. The near real time communication allows the off-line NCC to maintain a “hot” standby status such that it could become the active on-line NCC with a minimum amount of elapsed time and “lost processing” once the switch between NCCs is initiated.

In order to maintain an up-to-date status at the off-line NCC, the applicable database updates at the on-line NOC will be issued as RTR transactions to maintain lock-step database concurrence across the two NCCs. The categories of message sent to the off-line NCC include:

MT Customer Configuration

Virtual Network and Routing Configurations

FES Configuration

Channel Unit Pool Configuration

Net Radio Configuration

Satellite Resource Configuration

Control Group Operation Parameters

Bulletin Board Data

To maintain lock step with ongoing real time call processing, the off-line NCC receives call processing information from the on-line NCC on a call-by-call basis. The major categories of information moving from the off-line NCC to the on-line include the following:

Call records with frequencies allocated to a call setup

Call records for a call after setup is complete

Call record for a call after the frequencies have been released.

The off-line NCC uses this information to maintain call records and frequency allocations dynamically such that the off-line NCC can immediately assume control of the in-process active call suite and is completely aware of the current in-use frequencies to continue with new call setups and “old” call releases.

The on-line to off-line NCC switch over may occur as scheduled activity (e.g., periodic maintenance, major NCC H/W or S/W configuration upgrade, etc.) or as a result of a failure of the current on-line NCC.

The scheduled switch over process is the following:

The on-line NOC or local NCC operator alerts the on-line NCC to initiate processing phase out and suspend active communication with its associated CGS internal element.

The on-line NCC alerts the off-line NCC that all processing has been suspended and all elements associated with the NCC are waiting for a communication restart.

The off-line NCC commands the on-line NCC to go to passive standby under its own local operator control. At this point the previous off-line NCC is now the new active on-line NCC.

The new on-line NCC begins a communication restart sequence with its associated CGS elements.

This completes the scheduled switch over from an active on-line NCC to the off-line NCC.

The fail over process is initiated by the on-line NOC. The process flow is the following:

The on-line NOC commands the on-line NCC to go to passive standby under local operator control. This is an insurance command to attempt to eliminate the failed NCC from active participation in CGS processing.

The on-line NOC commands the off-line NCC to go active.

The on-line NOC commands all NCC associated elements to suspend communication with the old on-line NCC and wait for an NCC communications restart command.

The on-line NOC commands the new on-line NCC to begin a communications restart with all of its associated elements.

The new on-line NCC begins a communications restart sequence with all of its associated elements.

This completes the fail over sequence. If the original active on-line NCC is not capable of fulfilling its role in the fail over sequence, the switch over will be accomplished via NOC operator to NCC operator communication to suspend the operations of the original on-line NCC and then via NOC MMI to command the on-line NOC MMI to command the on-line NOC to pick up the remainder of the failover sequence.

It will be readily seen by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention fulfills all of the objects set forth above. After reading the foregoing specification, one of ordinary skill will be able to effect various changes, substitutions of equivalents and various other aspects of the invention as broadly disclosed herein. It is therefore intended that the protection granted hereon be limited only by the definition contained in the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

DICTIONARY ITEMS AND DEFINITIONS

Actual GSI

Definition:

Current GSI based on TDM changes during MET operation. This field is populated by the NOC based on actions on the CGS. The CMIS cannot create or update this field.

Call Barring Inbound/Outbound Flag

Definition:

Describes the call barring entry as applying to incoming or outgoing calls. If the Call Barring List is flagged as Inbound, it applies to calls the MET is receiving. If the Call Barring List is flagged as Outbound, it applies to calls the MET is making.

Call Barring Include/Exclude Flag

Definition:

Describes the call barring entry as an included (legal) call or an excluded (illegal) call. When a Call Barring List is flagged as Include, the MET may only make calls to the numbers or NPAs on the list. Any other call would be denied. Conversely, if a Call Barring List is flagged as Exclude, the MET may make calls to any number or NPA except those on the list.

Call Barring List Value

Definition:

Numbering plan area or phone number in the call barring list. The values that appear in the list are the phone numbers or NPAs that the MET's restriction apply to. The types of restrictions are dictated by the flags for Include/Exclude and Inbound/Outbound Call Barring.

Call Trap Flag

Definition:

Indicates call trapping has been initiated for the MET. The GC will trap MET states as they change during MET CGS activity. This information will be provided to the CMIS on a call record.

Call Type

Definition:

Service available on the MET. There are four service types: voice data (2400 or 4800 baud), fax, and alternate voice data (avd). For each service the mobile is registered, a service record is created with a single call type indicated. This call type in turn has a unique mobile identification number (min) associated with it.

Carrier

Definition:

Name of preferred IXC carrier. This field is a switch field used to support equal access to long distance carriers.

Cellular ESN

Definition:

32 bit ESN that is used by the switch. For dual mode cellular/satellite phones it is the ESN for the cellular portion of the phone and would match the ESN used by the home cellular carrier to identify that mobile terminal.

CGS Time Stamp

Definition:

Time stamp was created/modified. Part of the notification of success or failure of CGS action. Not created or updated by

Channel Spacing

Definition:

Multiple of frequency step size. This element is a characteristic of the MET Class. CMIS will only have the MET Class ID that a particular METs equipment maps to. NE originates this and other data that describes the MET Class and sends it to the NOC.

Check String

Definition:

Constant used by the GC to validate the encryption/decryption algorithm. This element is related to the ASK.

Commanded GSI

Definition:

Set by CMIS this is the original GSI stored as a NVRAM (non-volatile RAM) parameter by the MET. Required for each new MET registered for service. This element is used by the MET to tune to a GC-S channel during commissioning on the CGS. Without the GSI the MET is incapable of logging on to the CGS.

Configuration File

Definition:

A file containing the contents of a working configuration that has been saved to disk under a unique name.

Current Configuration

Definition:

The set of resources that exist in the configuration most recently sent to or received from the NOC. This is assumed to be the actual configuration of the traffic bearing network at any given time.

Commit a Resource

Definition:

Explicit engineer action to add a fully provisioned interim resource to the working configuration.

Control Group ID

Definition:

The CGS is divided into Control Groups that contain circuit pools, signaling channels, bulletin boards, METs, and VNs. A MET may only belong to one Control Group. The control Group assignment is based on the virtual network membership. All VNs a MET is a member of must be in the same control group.

Cust Group

Definition:

Identifier for a specialized routing information used at the switch (e.g., 1024 available cust groups per MSR). Dialing plans will be implemented for groups of customers through a Customer Group (Cust Group).

Data Rub Id

Definition:

Used to route messages during PSTN to IVDM call setup to the proper data hub. This is only applicable for METs that are participating in the Mobile Packet Data Service.

Date Last Tested

Definition:

Time stamp of most recent commissioning test. This field is populated by the NOC and cannot be created or updated by CMIS.

Default VN

Definition:

VN selected if user does not specify VN during dialing. For METs that belong to only one VN, this can be populated with the VN ID the MET is assigned to by default.

EIRP

Definition:

Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power power level required for a MET to receive a satellite signal. This element is a characteristic of the MET Class. CMIS will only have the MET Class ID that a particular METs equipment maps to. NE/SE originates this and other data that describes the MET Class and sends it to the NOC.

Event Argument Id

Definition:

Part of the Event Record received from the NOC. CMIS has no part in creating or updating events-they arrive unsolicited from the NOC.

Event Argument Type

Definition:

Part of the event Record received from the NOC. CMIS has no part in creating or updating events-they arrive unsolicited from the NOC.

Event Argument Value

Definition:

Part of the Event Record received from the NOC. CMIS has no part in creating or updating events-they arrive unsolicited from the NOC.

Event Argument VMS Type

Definition:

Part of the Event Record received from the NOC. CMIS has no part in creating or updating events-they arrive unsolicited from the NOC.

Event Code

Definition:

Part of the Event Record received from the NOC. CMIS has no part in creating or updating events-they arrive unsolicited from the NOC. Event Severity

Definition:

Network impact assessment of the trouble event.

Event Time

Definition:

Time the event occurred within the network.

Event Type

Definition:

Part of the Event Record received from the NOC. CMIS has no part in creating or updating events-they arrive unsolicited from the NOC.

External Date Time Stamp

Definition:

CMIS generated time stamp used for CMIS audit purposes in exchanging messages with the CGS.

External Transaction Id

Definition:

CMIS generated transaction id used for CMIS audit purposes in exchanging messages with the CGS.

Feature Set

Definition:

Identifies MET features within a specific VN. Fixed features are set up during order processing and require no action by the MET user to invoke a feature. MET activated features must also be set up during order processing but will only be available through some action on the part of the MET use during call process.

FIXED FEATURES include

Calling Line Id Presentation (CLIP)—display the calling party's number to a MET.

Calling Line Id Restriction (CLIR)—prohibition from displaying the METs number when it is calling another party.

Connected Line Id Presentation (COLP)—display the number the calling MET is connected to.

Connected Line Id Restriction (COLR)—prohibit display of the connected MET's number to the calling party.

Sub-addressing (SA)—allows one or more attachments to the MET to be addressed. This is being accomplished through unique phone numbers for service types requiring different equipment.

Call Waiting (CW)—notification to a MET engaged in the call that another call is waiting. MET may accept the other call or ignore it.

Call Barring (CB)—restricts the MET user's from making or receiving one or more types of calls.

Operator intervention (OI)—allows an operator to break into a call in progress for the MET.

Operator Assistance (OA)—allows the MET to access an MSAT operator to receive assistance

Call Priority (CP)—used in conjunction with the system's call queuing function (trunk access priority) presence of this feature gives a MET access to channels at times of congestion ahead of MET's with lower priority. Priority applies only to MET initiated calls.

MET ACTIVATED (dynamic) FEATURES include

Call Transfer (CT)—allows sa MET user to transfer an established call to a third party.

Call Forwarding Unconditional (CFU)—permits a MET to have all calls forwarded to another MET or PSTN number.

Call Forwarding Busy (CFB)—permits a MET to have all incoming calls attempted when the MET is busy to another MET or PSTN number.

Call Forward Congestion (CFC)—permits the MET to have all incoming calls attempted when the signaling channels are congested answered with a recorded announcement intercept.

Call Forward No Reply (CFN)—permits a MET to have all incoming calls attempted when the MET is not answering to another MET or PSTN number. This applies if the MET is blocked, turned off or not answering.

Call Holding (CH)—allows a MET to interrupt call communication on an existing connection and then re-establish communications.

Alternate Voice Data Operation (AVD)—allows a MET user to toggle between voice and data mode during a call. Requires that the call be initiated in voice mode. Only the MET user may toggle between voice and data. This requires a special service type in addition to the activation at set-up of the feature.

Conference calling (CC)—allows a MET to communicate with multiple-parties including METs and PSTN concurrently.

Three Party Service (3PS)—allows a MET to who is active on a call to hold that call, make an additional call to a third party, switch from one call to the other (privacy being provided between the calls) and/or release one call and return to the other.

Malicious Call Trace (MCT)—enables an MSAT operator to retrieve the complete call record at a MET's request for any terminated call in real-time. The operator can then identify the calling party to the MET and take appropriate action.

Voice Mail (VM)—allows call forwarding to a voice mail box and retrieved of messages by the MET.

Alternate Accounts Charging (ACC)—allows the MET user to enter in an account code to charge the call to after entering the dialed digits

Fully Provision

Definition:

Supply values to all attributes of a resource

Frequency Step Size

Definition:

Minimum tuning increment acquired for a MET to tune in an assigned channel. CMIS will only have the MET Class ID that a particular MET's equipment maps to. NE originates this and other data that describes the MET Class and sends it to the NOC.

From MET Call Barring Flags

Definition:

Describe actions available to a user originating a call from a MET. These call Barring flags relate to specific types of calls at an aggregate level to indicate if the MET can make or receive a call of a particular type. When this list indicates that an Inclusion or Exclusion to particular numbers or area codes is allowed, the values for those restrictions are indicated on a Call Barring List.

FTIN

Definition:

Forward Terminal Identification Number—Downloaded to MET from NOC during commissioning. Used for MET to GC signaling.

Internal Data Time Stamp

Definition:

NOC generated time stamp used. for NOC audit purposes.

Internal Transaction Id

Definition:

NOC generated transaction is used for NOC audit purposes.

Interim resource

Definition:

The resource currently being modified by the engineer. Changes made to an interim resource are not added to the working configuration until the resource is committed to the working configuration

L Band Beam

Definition:

Current beam MET is logged into. Determined by the GC during commissioning. CMIS has no role in creating or updating this field.

LCC

Definition:

Line Class Code—type of phone, required by the switch.

MCC Class Id

Definition:

Part of the Event Record received from the NOC. CMIS has no part in creating or updating events—they arrive unsolicited from the NOC.

MCC Instance

Definition:

Part of the Event Record received from the NOC. CMIS has no part in creating or updating events—they arrive unsolicited from the NOC.

MCC Instance Id

Definition:

Part of the Event Record received from the NOC. CMIS has no part in creating or updating events—they arrive unsolicited from the NOC.

MCC Instance Type

Definition:

Part of the Event Record received from the NOC. CMIS has no part in creating or updating events—they arrive unsolicited from the NOC.

Message Status 1

Definition:

Used in the message initiated by the NOC to acknowledge success or failure of a previously transmitted CMIS request. Used by the DM.

Message Status 2

Definition:

Used in the message initiated by the NOC to acknowledge success or failure of a previously transmitted CMIS request. Will be used by the DM.

Message Verb

Definition:

Action required at the NOC on data passed in a message from CMIS. This field is in the message relaying the results of a CMIS request.

Modulation Scheme

Definition:

Non-standard modulation schemes. CMIs will only have the MET Class ID that a particular MET's equipment maps to. NE/SE originates this and other data that describes the MET Class and sends it to the NOC.

MSA

Definition:

Mobile Servicing Area—identifies the last call's servicing area. Atomic data element within MSR. Transient data maintained in call processing not on the cellular switch table. Same as MSR.

MSR

Definition:

Mobile Servicing Region id (table) contains multiple MSA assignments for the MET. For a roamer, the operator will input the MSR for temporary assignment. Allows up to 1024 cust groups—At CGS startup there will be 1 MSR.

MET ASK

Definition:

Access Key MET must match during call setup/validation.

MET Class ID

Definition:

Identifies the operating characteristics of the MET. Associated to MET by CMIS during registration from data supplied by NE/SE. The technical characteristics the MET Class ID encompasses are not needed by CMIS. These are stored on a table in the NOC and referenced by having the ID on the MET Information record. This ID applies to MET level regardless of how many services, etc. the MET has tied to it.

MET Commanded State

Definition:

Current CGS status of MET.

MET Fraud Flag

Definition:

Indicates fraud has been detected on the MET. Updated by GC and CMIS only. This field is set at the MET level regardless of the number of services, etc. the MET has.

MET ID

Definition:

CMIS assigned unique MET identifier. This can be a unique random number assigned to each MET registered for service. This is a MET level characteristic set once for the MET regardless of how many services, etc. the MET has. The MET ID is used by the NOC to identify METs. It does not have to be used within CMIS as a key field. MET ID cannot be updated once it has been assigned. A MET that requires a new MET ID for any reason would have to go through the registration process anew.

MET Signaling Code

Definition:

Dialed digits from MET that identifies VN selection. Signaling codes would be assigned when a MET has multiple Virtual Network memberships. After the MET user enters the destination phone number, the pound key is hit and then the signaling code is entered if the caller wants to associated the outbound call with a particular virtual network. When no signaling code is entered, implies default VN be associated with the call.

Net Radio Monitor Code

Definition:

Controls MET responses to specific channels after hang time limit is exceeded. A NR Net selection is made at the MET by the user.

Net Radio MET Directory Number

Definition:

Net radio MET directory number. Assigned during registration.

Net Radio Net Id

Definition:

Net ID

Net Radio MET Directory Number

Definition:

Tag number on the MET equipment that identifies a particular net radio net.

Pending NVRAM Init Flag

Definition:

Instructs the GC to download/initialize parameters for a MET.

Pending PVT Flag

Definition:

This flag indicates that a PVT is required following next MET access. If CMIS requests a PVT to help diagnose customer troubles, an update would be sent to NOC with the Flag set to Perform PVT after Next MET access (1).

Picsel

Definition:

Flag indicating if user has asked for a preferred IXC carrier. Carrier name is contained in CARRIER field.

Record Type

Definition:

Type of record defined by object. Part of the Update Results Record.

Remote

Definition:

Remote user—not required by the switch for MSAT Application.

Recent Configuration Event

Definition:

This is a serial list of events received from the NOC that pertain to configuration database changes.

Referential Integrity

Definition:

Database “key field” relationships that bind record within the databases, and create dependencies for additions and deletions of table instances.

RF Pin

Definition:

Remote feature personal identification number. A user is prompted for a pin when attempting to use a remote feature.

Roam

Definition:

Roam Capable—not required by the switch for MSAT Application.

RTIN

Definition:

Reverse Terminal Identification Number which is also the satellite electronic serial number on satellite only and dual mode cellular/satellite METs. This is a unique identifier assigned by manufacturer for each piece of equipment.

Within CGS processing the RTIN is used by the GC to signal the MET.

Satellite Id

Definition:

Satellite Id of current L-band beam. The NOC populates this field based on MET commissioning. CMIS does not ever create or update this field.

SCM

Definition:

Station Class Mark.

Secure Disable Flat

Definition:

Channel Unit security check flag. Setting this flag to bypass security would disable ASK verification during call processing for a MET. CMIS cannot change this flag.

Signaling Priority

Definition:

Number of MET signaling requests to the GC during network congestion. Assigned at the MET level—each MET may have only one signaling priority regardless of the number of VN memberships it has. The highest priority level is 0 and the lowest is seven.

TDM Change Enable Flat

Definition:

Restriction on MET from changing TDM (TDM is the GSI)

Telephone Number

Definition:

Phone number associated with a call type (voice, data, fax, avd) in a given virtual network.

Template

Definition:

An initial set of default attribute values for each resource being added.

To MET Call Barring Flags

Definition:

Describes actions available to a user receiving a call at their MET.

Trunk Access Priority

Definition:

Satellite trunk queuing priority used during network congestion. Determines access to channels.

Virtual Network Id

Definition:

Identifies the Virtual Network that the service and feature profiles relate to. Within a single VN a MET may have one voice, data, fax and/or avd service type. Features and restrictions for those services are defined on the basis of the METs membership in that VN. If the MET required an additional instance of a service that it already subscribed to, (e.g. a second voice number), a second virtual network assignment would be required. Features and restrictions for that second membership can be defined with no relation to the existing VN membership, but all elements that relate to the MET level cannot change without a ripple effect to the other services.

VMS Instance Type

Definition:

Part of the Event Message

Vocoder Id

Definition:

Vocoder version currently installed in the MET. CMIS will only have the MET Class ID that a particular METs equipment maps to. NE/SE originates this and other data that describes the MET Class and sends it to the NOC.

Working Configuration

Definition:

The set of resources currently being modified by the engineer. This may be an existing, complete configuration which the engineer is modifying, or may be a new, partial (or initially empty) configuration.

GLOSSARY A Availability AAC Airline Administrative Communications AARM Access Authentication Request ABH Average Busy Hour AC Alternating Current ACU Access Channel Unit ACU Antenna Control Unit AD Attribute Dictionary AEDC After Effective Date of Contract AFC Automatic Frequency Control AFS Antenna/Front-end Subsystem AGC Automatic Gain Control AIOD Automatic Number Identification Outward Dialing AMI Alternative Mark Inversion AMPS North American Analog and Digital Cellular Networks AMSC American Mobile Satellite Corporation AMS(R)S Aeronautical Mobile Satellite (Route) Service AMSS(R) Aeronautical Mobile Satellite Services (Reserved) ANI Automatic Number Identification ANSI American National Standards Institute ANT Antenna AOC Aircraft Operational Communications APC Airline Passenger Communications API Applications Program Interface AR Automatic Roaming ARC Atlantic Research Corporation ASK Access Security Key ASN.1 Abstract Syntax Notation One AT Command set for a DTE to communicate with asynchronous host ATC Air Traffic Control AVD Alternate Voice/Data Calls AWGN Additive White Gaussian Noise AZ Azimuth B8ZS Bipolar with 8 Zeros Substitution BB Bulletin Board BBS Bulletin Board Service BER Bit Error Rate BERT Bit Error Rate Tester BID Beam Identifier Code BIT Built In Test BITE Built-In Test Equipment BPS Bits Per Second BS Base Station BSPU Baseband Signaling Processing Unit BSS Base Station Switch C/No Carrier to Noise Power Density Ratio CAC Channel Access and Control CAF Call Failure Message CCCS Command, Control, and Communications Subsystem CCIR Consultative Committee International de Radio CCITT Consultative Committee International Telegraph and Telephone CCU Communications Channel Unit CD Call Delivery CDR Call Detail Record CDR Critical Design Review CDRL Contract Data Requirements List CE Common Equipment CG Control Group CGID Control Group Identification Number CGS Communications Ground Segment CHA Channel Assignment Message CHREL Channel Release Message CHREQ Channel Request Message CI Configuration Item CIBER Cellular Intercarrier Billing Exchange Roamer CIC Carrier Identification Code CM Configuration Management CMIP Common Management Information System CMIS Configuration Management Information System CMIS Customer Management Information System COTS Commercial off-the-Shelf CP Circuit Pool CPD Call Processing Demonstration CPS Circuit Pool Segment CPU Central Processing Unit C/PV Commissioning/Performance Verification CRC Cyclic Redundancy Check CS Communications System CSC Computer Software Component CSCI Computer Software Configuration Item CSDT Channel Switchover Detection Item CSF Critical System Functionality CSMA/CD Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection CSMP Circuit Switch Management Processor CSMPCS Circuit Switch Management Data Processor Equipment Communications System CSPU Channel Signal Processing Unit CSR CAC Statistics Request CSREP Call Status Reply Message CSREQ Call Status Request Message CSU Computer Software Unit CSUG Computer Software Unit Group CTB Customer Test Bed CTN Cellular Telephone Network CTN Cellular Terrestrial Network CTNI Cellular Telephone Network Interface CU Channel Unit CUD Call User Data CUG Closed User Group CUP Channel Unit Pool CUS Channel Unit Subsystem CVR Cellular Visitor Registration CVRACK Cellular Visitor Registration Acknowledge CW Carrier Wave CWCHA Call Waiting Channel Assignment Message DAMA Demand Assignment Multiple Access db Database dbc Decibel Relative to Carrier dB decibels dBi dB Relative to Isotropic dBm dB relative to 1 milli watt dBW decibels relative to 1 watt D bit ‘Data Configuration’ bit in X.25 DBMS DataBase Management System dBw dB Relative to 1 Watt DC Direct Current DCE Data Circuit Terminating Equipment DCE Data Communications Equipment DCL Digital Command Language DCN Down CoNverter DCR# Document Control Release # DCU Data Channel Unit DD Design Document DDCMP Digital Data Communications Message Protocol DDS Direct Digital Synthesis DEC Digital Equipment Corporation DECmcc Digital's Network Management System DEQPSK Differential Encoded Quadrature Phase Shift Keying DET Data Equipment Terminal DFD Data Flow Diagram DH Data Hub DH-D Outbound Time Division Multiplex Channel from Data Hub to Mobile Terminal DHP Data Hub Processor DHSI DH-D Selector Identification Code DID Direct Inward Dialing D1Ds Data Item Descriptions DME Dial-Up Modem Emulation DMQ DEC Message Queue DMS Digital Multiplex System DN Directory Number DNS Digital Name Service DOC Canadian Department Of Communications DOD Direct Outward Dialing DPSK Differential Phase Shift Keying DQPSK Differentially Encoded Quadrature Phase Shift Keying DS0 Digital Service Level Zero (single 64K b/s channel) DS 1 Digital Service Level One (twenty four voice channels) DSP Digital Signal Processing DSSS 1 Digital Subscriber Signaling System 1 DTC Digital Trunk Controller DTE Data Terminal Equipment DTE Data Terminal Element DTMF Dual Tone Muitiple Frequency DVSI Digital Voice Systems, Inc. Eb/No Bit Energy to Noise Power Density Ratio ECN Engineering Change Notice EFD EF Data, Inc. EFTIN Encrypted Forward Terminal Identification Number E-I Exchange - Interexchange EIA Electronic Industries Association EICD Element Interface Control Document EIE External Interface Equipment EIRP Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power E1 Elevation EMC ElectroMagnetic Compatibility EMI ElectroMagnetic Interference eng engineer or engineering EO End Office EO External Organizations EOD End of Data ESN Electronic Serial Number FAX Facsimile FCA Functional Configuration Audit FCC Federal Communications Commission FCS Fading Channel Simulator FDMA Frequency Division Multiple Access FEC Forward Error Correction FES Feederlink Earth Station FES-C Inbound Communication channel from Feederlink Earth Station to Mobile Terminal FES-I Interstation signaling channel from Feederlink Earth Station to Group Controller FES/MT Feederlink Earth Station/Mobile Terminal FES-RE Feederlink Earth Station-Radio Frequency Equipment FES-TE Feederlink Earth Station Terminal Equipment FFT Fast Fourier Transform FIS Feederlink Earth Station Interface Simulator FIT Fault Isolation Tests FIU Fax Interface Unit FMT Fixed Mobile Terminal FMA Field Programmable Gate Array FPMH Failures per Million Hours FRO Frequency Reference Oscillator FT Fault Tolerant FTE Fax Terminal Equipment FTIN Forward Terminal Identification Number G/T Gain to System Noise Ratio GBF Gateway/Base Function GBS Gateway Base System GC Group Controller GC-I Interstation signaling channel from Group Controller to Feederlink Earth Station GC-S Time Division Multiplex Signaling channel from Group Controller to Mobile Terminal GCSST GC-S Search Time GEN Generator GHz Giga (1,000,000,000) Hertz (cycles per second) GMACS Graphical Monitor And Control System GPIB General Purpose Instrument Bus GPS Global Positioning System GS Gateway Station GSI GC-S Selector Identifier GW Gateway GWS Gateway Switch GWS/BSS Gateway Switch/Base Station Switch H/W Hardware HCHREQ Handoff Channer Request HDP Hardware Development Plan HLR Home Location Register HMI Human Machine Interface HOT Hand-off Test HPA High Power Amplifier HRS Hardware Requirements Specification HWCI Hardware Configuration Item HW/SW Hardware/Software Hz Hertz I In Phase channel IAW In Accordance With IC Interexchange Carrier ICD Interface Control Document ICI Instrument Control Interface ICP Intelligent Cellular Peripheral ICU Interstation Channel Unit ICWG Interface Control Working Group/Interface Coordination Working Group ID Identification IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers IF Intermediate Frequency IFIS Intermediate Frequency Subsystem IFL Interfacility Link IF IFL Intermediate Frequency Internal Facility Link IHO Interstation Hand-Off IICD Internal Interface Control Document IICWG Internal Interface Control Working Group IM Intermodulation IMBE Improved Muitiband Excitation IOC Input/Output Controller IP Internet Protocol ISCU Interstation Signaling Channel Unit/Interstation Channel Unit ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network ISL Interstation Signaling Link ISO International Standards Organization IVDCPD Integrated Voice & Data Call Processing Demonstration IVDM Integrated Voice/Data Mobile Terminal KBPS Kilo (1,000) Bits per Second kHz Kilohertz KLNA K-band Low Noise Amplifier KP Key Pulse LAN Local Area Network LAP Link Access Procedure LAPB Link Access Procedure using a balanced mode of operation LATA Local Access and Transport Area LBP Local Blocking Probability LCN Logical Channel Number LLCSC Lower Level Computer Software Component LLNA L-band Lowe Noise Amplifier LLS Lower Level Specification LNA Low Noise Amplifier LOI Level of Integration LPP Link Peripheral Processor LRU Line Replaceable Unit LRU Lowest Replaceable Unit LSSGR Loval Access and Transport Area Switching Systems Generic Requirements MAP Maintenance Administrative Position MAP Mobile Application Part M bit ‘More Data' bit in X.25 M&C Monitor and Control MCC Management Control Center MCGID Mobile Data Service Control Group Identification Number MDLP Mobile Data Service Data Link Protocol MDS Mobile Data Service MDSR MDLP Statistics Request MEA Failure Modes and Effects Analysis MEF Minimum Essential Functionality MELCO Mitsubishi Electronic Company MET Mobile Earth Terminal (a.k.a. MT) MET-C Communication Channel Between Mobile Terminal and Feederlink Earth Station MET-DRd Inbound Slotted Aloha Data Channel MET-DRr Inbound Slotted Aloha Reservation Channel MET-DT Inbound Packet Time Division Multiple Access Channel MET-SR Random Access Signaling Channel from Mobile Terminal to Group Controller MET-ST Time Division Multiple Access signaling channel from Mobile Terminal to Group Controller MF Multiple Frequency MFID Manufacturer Identification MGSP Mobile Terminal to Group Controller Signaling Protocol MHz Mega Hertz (cycles per second) MIB Management Information Base MIR Management Information Region MIRQ MT Initialization Request MIS Mobile Terminal Interface Simulator MIS Mobile Earth Terminal Interface Simulator ML Message Layer MLCSC Mid Level Computer Software Component MLP Multilink Procedure MMI Man Machine Interface MMRS Mobile Road Service MMSS Maritime Mobile Satellite Services MNMS Mobile Data Service Network Management Subsystem MNP Multi Network Protocol MODEM MODulator/DEModulator MOS Mean Opinion Score MOV Method of Verification MPLP Mobile Data Service Packet Layer Protocol MPR MPR Teltech Inc. MRI Minimum Request Interval MRS Mobile Radio Service MSAT Mobile Satellite MSC Mobile Switching Center MSS Mobile Satellite Service MSSP Mobile Terminal Specialized Services Protocol ms millisecond MT Mobile Terminal MT-C Communication Channel Between Mobile Terminal and Feederlink Earth Station MT-DRd Inbound Slotted Aloha Data Channel MT-DRr Inbound Slotted Aloha Reservation Channel MT-DT Inbound Packet Time Division Multiple Access Channel MT/NR Mobile Terminal/Net Radio MT ASK Mobile Terminal Access Security Key MTBF Mean-Time Between Failures MTBRA Mean-Time Between Restoral Actions MTCRS Mobile Telephone Cellular Roaming Service MT-MET Mobile Terminal to Mobile Terminal MT-MT Mobile Terminal to Mobile Terminal MTP Mobile Data Service Transaction Protocol MT-PSTN Mobile Terminal/Public Switched Telephone Network MTS Mobile Telephone Service MT-SR Random Access Signaling Channel from Mobile Terminal to Group Controller MTSR MTP Statistics Request MT-ST Time Division Multiple Access Signaling Channel from Mobile Terminal to Group Controller MTTR Mean-Time to Repair MTX Mobile Telephone Exchange MULP Mobile Data Service unacknowledged Link Protocol MUSR MULP Statistics Request NACN North American Cellular Network NADP North American Dialing Plan NANP North American Numbering Plan NAP Network Access Processor NAP-C Network Access Processor for the Communications Channel NAP-CU Network Access Processor-Channel Unit NAP-D Network Access Processor for the Data Channel NAP-N Network Access Processor for the Network Radio Channel NAP-S Network Access Processor for the Signaling Channel NAS Network Access Subsystem NASP National Aerospace Plan NCC Network Communications Controller NCC Network Control Center NCC-RE Network Communications Controller Radio frequency Equipment NCC-TE Network Communications Controller Terminal Equipment NCS Network Control System NCU Net Radio Control Unit NCU Net Radio Channel Unit NE Network Engineering NEBS New Equipment Building System NE/SE Network Engineering/System Engineering NIM Network Module NM Network Module NMP Network Management Process NMS Network Management System NMS/CMIS Network Management System/Customer Management Information System NOC Network Operations Center NOC-FES Network Operations Center-Feederlink Earth Station NPA Numbering Plan Area NR Net Radio NRCHA Net Radio Channel Assignment NRCHREL Net Radio Channel Release NRCHREQ Net Radio Channel Request NRDVI Net Radio Dispatcher Voice Interface NRS Net Radio Service NRZ Non-Return to Zero NT Northern Telecom NTL Northern Telecom Limited NTP Northern Telecom Practice NVM Non-Volatile Memory OA&M Operation, Administration, and Maintenance O&M Operations and Maintenance OJJ On the Job Training OM Operational Measurements (from GWS) OS Operating System OSF Open Software Foundation OSI Open Systems Interconnection OSR Operational Support Review PA Product Assurance PAC Pre-emption Acknowledge Message PAD Packet Assembler/Disassembler PAP Product Assurance Plan PBX Private Branch Exchange PC Process Control PCM Pulse Code Modulation PC-RFMCP PC Based RFM Control Processor PC-SCP PC Based Systems Control Processor PCSTR Physical Channel Statistics Request PCT Provisioning Criteria Table PCU Pilot Control Unit PCU Pilot Channel Unit PDAMA Priority Demand Assignment Multiple Access PDN Packet Data Network PDR Preliminary Design Review PDU Protocol Data Unit PE Protocol Extension PER Packet Error Rate PERSP Packet Error Rate Sample Period PERT Packet Error Rate Threshold PIP Program Implementation Plan PLP Packet Layer Protocol PLT Pilot PMR Project Management Review PMT Pre-emption Message PN Private Network PN Pseudo Noise PNIC Private Network Identification Code PPM Pulses per Minute PS Processor Subsystem PSDN Private Switched Data Network PSDN Public Switched Data Network PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network PTT Push-To-Talk PVC Performance Virtual Circuit PVT Permanent Verification Test/Performance Verification Test Q Quadrature Phased Channel QA Quality Assurance Q bit ‘Qualified Data’ bit in X.25 QPSK Quadrature Phase Shift Keying RAM Random Access Memory RAM Reliability, Availability, Maintainability RDB Relational DataBase REMS Remote Environmental Monitoring System Req Requirement Rev Revision RF Radio Frequency RFE Radio Frequency Equipment RF IFL Radio Frequency Inter Facility Link RFM Radio Frequency Monitor RFP Request For Proposal RFS Radio Frequency Subsystem RHCP Right Hand Circularly Polarized RMS Remote Monitoring Station RMS Remote Monitor Subsystem RNO Remote NOC Operator ROM Read Only Memory RR Receiver Ready RS Requirements Specification RS-232C Electronics Industry Standard for unbalanced data circuits RSP Radio Standard Procedure RTIN Reverse Terminal Identification Number RTM Requirements Traceability Matrix RTP Reliable Transaction Protocol RTR Reliable Transaction Router RTS Reliable Transaction Service RTS Receiver/Tuner System Rx receive S/W Software SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition SCCP Signaline Connection Control Part SCPC Single Channel Per Carrier SCR Software Change Request SCS System Common Software SCU Signaling Channel Unit SDD Software Design Description SDID Seller Data Item Description SDLC Synchronous Data Link Control SDP Software Development Plan SDPAP Software Development Product Assurance Plan SDR System Design Review SDRL Seller Data Requirements List SE Systems Engineering SEC Setup Complete Message SEDP Software Engineering Development Plan SEE Software Engineering Environment SEEP Software Engineering Environment Plan SID System Identifier Code SIF System Integration Facility SIT Special Information Tones SLOC Source Lines of Code SLSS Station Logic and Signaling Subsystem SM Site Manager SMAC Station Monitor Alarm and Control Subsystem SMDS Satellite Mobile Data Service SMP Software Management Plan SMRS Satellite Mobile Radio Service SMSC Satellite Mobile Switching Center SMTS Satellite Mobile Telephone Service SNA Systems Network Architecture SNAC Satellite Network Access Controller SNACS Satellite Network Access Controller Subsystem SNMP Simple Network Management Protocol SNR Signal to Noise Ratio SOC Satellite Operation Center SOW Statement of Work SP Start Pulse SPAP Software Product Assurance Plan SPP Satellite Protocol Processor SQL Software Query Language SRR Systems Requirements Review SRS Software Requirements Specification SS7 Signaling System No. 7 SSA Sloppy Slotted Aloha SSTS Satellite Transmission Systems, Inc. STP Signal Transfer Point STP System Test Program STS System Test Station STSI Satellite Transmission Systems, Inc. SU Signaling Unit SUES Shared-Use Earth Station SVC Switched Virtual Circuit SVVP Software Verification and Validation Plan SVVPR Software Verification and Validation Plan Review S/W Software [TI] Top Level Specification T- 1 Digital Transmission link, 1.544 Mega-bits per second TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol TCAP Transactions Capabilities Application Part TCF Training Check Frame TD Transmission Demonstration TDM Time Division Muitiplex TDMA Time Division Multiple Access TDMSI Time Division Multiplex Selector ID TE Terminal Equipment Telecom Telephonic Communications TDM Time Division Multiplex TDMA TDM Access TID Terminal Identification TIM Timing TIM Technical Interchange Meeting TIN Terminal Identification Number TIS Terrestrial Interface Subsystem TLCSC Top Level Computer Software Component TLS Top Level Specification TMI Telesat Mobile Incorporated TMS Test and Monitor Station TNI Terrestrial Network Interface TPP Test Plan and Procedure TT&C Telemetry, Tracking and Control Tx Transmit UCN Up CoNverter UDS Unacknowledged Data Delivery Service UIS User Interface Subsystem UPC Uplink Power Control UTR Universal Tone Receiver UW Unique Words V&V Verification and Validation VAC Value-Added Carrier VAX Model Identification of a Digital Equipment Corporation system VAX Virtual Address eXtension (proprietary name used by DEC for some of its computer systems) VCN Virtual Circuit Number VF Voice Frequency VLR Visitor Location Register VN Virtual Network VPN Virtual Private Network VUP VAX Unit of Processing V.22bis Modem Standard for 24()0 Baud Service Over Telephone Lines V.25 Procedure for setting up a data connection on the Public Switched Telephone Network V.26, V.28 Electrical specification of interchange circuits at both the Data Terminal Equipment and Data Communications Equipment sides of the interface (similar to RS-232-C) V.32 High Speed Serial Link, Physical Layer Definition V.35 X.25 physical layer interface used to access wideband channels (at data rates up to 64kbit/s) WAN Wide Area Network XCR X.25 Configuration Request XICD External Interface Control Document XICWG External Interface Control Working Group X.3 Specification for facilities provided by the Packet Assembler/Disassembler X.21 X.25 physical layer interface for Data Terminal Equipment and Data Communications Equipment using synchronous transmission facilities X.21bis X.25 physical layer interface for Data Terminal Equipment designed for interfacing to synchronous V-series modems to access data networks X.25 Specification for interface between Data Terminal Equipment and Data Communications Equipment for terminals operating in packet mode X.28 Specification for interaction between loval terminal and Packet Assembler/Disassembler X.29 Specification for interaction between Packet Assembler/Disassembler and remote packet mode terminal 

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile satellite system, comprising: a network operations center (NOC) managing and controlling the resources of the satellite network system and carrying out the administrative functions associated with the management of the network system, the NOC communicating with at least one of internal and external entities; a first network communications controller (NCC) managing the real time allocation of circuits between METs and FESs for the purposes of supporting communications, available circuits being managed by group controllers (GCs) within the NCC; a FES supporting communications links between METs, the public switched telephone network (PSTN), private networks, and other METs, call completion and service feature management being accomplished over the communication channel, the FES including at least one of a gateway FES providing mobile telephone service (MTS) and mobile telephone cellular roaming service (MTCRS) services, and a base FES providing mobile radio service (MRS) and net radio (NR) services; a customer management information system providing at least one of customers and service providers with assistance and information including at least one of problem resolution, service changes, and billing/usage data, customers including at least one of individual MET owners and fleet managers of larger corporate customers; a network engineering system developing at least one of network plans and performing analysis in support of the system including at least one of analyzing the requirements of the network, reconciling expected traffic loads with the capability and availability of space and ground resources to produce frequency plans for the different beams within the system, and defining contingency plans for failure situations; a system engineering system engineering at least one of the network subsystems, equipment and software which is needed to expand capacity to meet increases in traffic demands and to provide new features and services; a remote monitor station (RMS) monitoring spectrum and transmission performance, said RMS being nominally located in each beam and interfacing with the NOC via either a satellite or terrestrial link; a system test station (STS) providing at least one of network access capability to support FES commissioning tests and network service diagnostic tests, the STS being optionally collocated with and interfaced to the NOC; a group controller subsystem (GCS) incorporating one or multiple group controllers (GC), each GC at least one of managing every call in progress within its control group, allocating and de-allocating circuits for calls, managing virtual network call processing, performing MET authentication, and providing call accounting, the GC optionally providing satellite bandwidth resources to the NOC for AMS(R)S resource provisioning, monitoring the performance of call processing and satellite circuit pool utilization, and performing MET management, commissioning and periodic performance verification testing and database management.
 2. A mobile satellite system according to claim 1 wherein said database management includes management of: mobile earth station databases; virtual network databases; circuit pool databases; network identification databases; circuit counters and queue tables; and call record tables.
 3. A mobile satellite system according to claim 1 wherein said mobile satellite system includes a second NCC which maintains communication with said NOC and said first NCC and maintains database concurrence across the two NCCs, receives call processing information from said first NCC on a call-by-call basis, and maintains call records and frequency allocations dynamically such that said second NCC can substantially immediately assume control of an in-process call setups and old call releases.
 4. A mobile satellite system according to claim 1 wherein the GC supports GC controller (GCC) processes and control group manager (CGM) processes, the CGM processes functioning independently and managing multiple control groups.
 5. A mobile satellite system according to claim 1 wherein a GC performs the following processes: configuration including processing control group reconfigurations, serving as a server in NOC initiated updates and as a requester in GC initiated database updates; processing AMS(R)S provisioning requests from the NOC; call processing; and GC router configuration.
 6. A mobile satellite system according to claim 1 wherein said mobile satellite system includes a second NCC which maintains communication with said NOC and said first NCC and maintains database concurrence across the two NCCs, receives call processing information from said first NCC on a call-by-call basis, and maintains call records and frequency allocations dynamically such that said second NCC may be substituted for said first NCC as a scheduled activity or upon failure of the online NCC.
 7. A mobile satellite system according to claim 6 wherein the scheduled substitution of said second NCC includes the following steps: alerting the online NCC to initiate processing phaseout and suspend active communication with its associated CGS internal element; the online NCC alerting the off-line NCC that all processing has been suspended and all elements associated with the NCC are waiting for a communication restart; the off-line NCC commanding the on-line NCC to go to passive standby under its own local operator control; the new on-line NCC beginning a communication restart sequence with its associated CGS elements.
 8. A mobile satellite system according to claim 6 wherein the failure substitution of said second NCC includes the following steps: the on-line NOC commanding the on-line NCC to go to passive standby under local operator control; the on-line NOC commanding the off-line NCC to go active; the on-line NOC commanding all NCC associated elements to suspend communication with the old on-line NCC and await an NCC communications restart command; the on-line NOC commanding the new on-line NCC to begin a communications restart with all of its associated elements; the new on-line NCC beginning a communications restart sequence with all of its associated elements.
 9. A mobile satellite system, comprising: a network operations center (NOC) managing and controlling the resources of the satellite network system and conducting the administrative functions associated with the management of the mobile satellite system, the NOC communicating with at least one of internal and external entities; a first network communications controller (NCC) managing the allocation of circuits for supporting communications, available circuits being managed by at least one Group Controller (GC) in said NCC, said NCC communicating with said NOC via said control network, said GC including components which control: call setup and monitoring; management of satellite resources during call setup and cleardown; database management; call record management; congestion control; generation of performance and traffic statistics; and periodic performance verification testing.
 10. A mobile satellite system according to claim 9 wherein said database management includes management of: mobile earth station databases; virtual network databases; circuit pool databases; network identification databases; circuit counters and queue tables; and call record tables.
 11. A mobile satellite system according to claim 9 wherein said mobile satellite system includes a second NCC which maintains communication with said NOC and said first NCC and maintains database concurrence across the two NCCs, receives call processing information from said first NCC on a call-by-call basis, and maintains call records and frequency allocations dynamically such that said second NCC can substantially immediately assume control of an in-process call setups and old call releases.
 12. A mobile satellite system according to claim 9 wherein said mobile satellite system includes a second NCC which maintains communication with the NOC and the NCC and maintains database concurrence across the two NCCs, receives call processing information from said first NCC on a call-by-call basis, and maintains call records and frequency allocations dynamically such that said second NCC may be substituted for said first NCC as a scheduled activity or upon failure of the online NCC.
 13. A mobile satellite system according to claim 12 wherein the scheduled substitution of said second NCC includes the following steps: alerting the online NCC to initiate processing phaseout and suspend active communication with its associated CGS internal element; the online NCC alerting the off-line NCC that all processing has been suspended and all elements associated with the NCC are awaiting a communication restart; the off-line NCC commanding the on-line NCC to go to passive standby under its own local operator control; the new on-line NCC beginning a communication restart sequence with its associated CGS elements.
 14. A mobile satellite system according to claim 9 wherein the fail over substitution of said second NCC includes the following steps: the on-line NOC commanding the on-line NCC to go to passive standby under local operator control; the on-line NOC commanding the off-line NCC to go active; the on-line NOC commanding all NCC associated elements to suspend communication with the old on-line NCC awaiting an NCC communications restart command; the on-line NOC commanding the new on-line NCC to begin a communications restart with all of its associated elements; the new on-line NCC beginning a communications restart sequence with all of its associated elements.
 15. A mobile satellite system according to claim 9 wherein the GC supports GC controller (GCC) processes and control group manager (CGM) processes, the CGM processes functioning independently and managing multiple control groups.
 16. A mobile satellite system according to claim 9 wherein a GC performs the following processes: configuration including processing control group reconfigurations, serving as a server in NOC initiated updates and as a requester in GC initiated database updates; processing AMS(R)S provisioning requests from the NOC; call processing; and GC router configuration.
 17. In a mobile satellite system, including a network operations center (NOC) managing and controlling the resources of the satellite network system and conducting the administrative fuctions associated with the management of the mobile satellite system, the NOC communicating with at least one of internal and external entities; and a first network communications controller (NCC) managing the allocation of circuits for supporting communications, available circuits being managed by at least one Group Controller (GC) in said NCC, said NCC communicating with said NOC via said control network, a method performed by said GC comprising the sequence independent steps of: (a) call setup and monitoring; (b) management of satellite resources during call setup and cleardown; (c) database management; (d) call record management; (e) congestion control; (f) generation of performance and traffic statistics; and (g) periodic performance verification testing.
 18. A mobile satellite system, comprising: a network operations center (NOC) managing and controlling the resources of the satellite network system and carrying out the administrative functions associated with the management of the network system, the NOC communicating with at least one of internal and external entities; a first network communications controller (NCC) managing the real time allocation of circuits between METs and FESs for the purposes of supporting communications, available circuits being managed by group controllers (GCs) within the NCC; a FES supporting communications links between METs, the public switched telephone network (PSTN), private networks, and other METs, call completion and service feature management being accomplished over the communication channel, the FES including at least one of a gateway FES providing mobile telephone service (MTS) and mobile telephone cellular roaming service (MTCRS) services, and a base FES providing mobile radio service (MRS) and net radio (NR) services; a customer management information system providing at least one of customers and service providers with assistance and information including at least one of problem resolution, service changes, and billing/usage data, customers including at least one of individual MET owners and fleet managers of larger corporate customers; a network engineering system developing at least one of network plans and performing analysis in support of the system including at least one of analyzing the requirements of the network, reconciling expected traffic loads with the capability and availability of space and ground resources to produce frequency plans for the different beams within the system, and defining contingency plans for failure situations; a system engineering system engineering at least one of the network subsystems, equipment and software which is needed to expand capacity to meet increases in traffic demands and to provide new features and services; a group controller subsystem (GCS) incorporating one or multiple group controllers (GC), each GC at least one of managing every call in progress within its control group, allocating and de-allocating circuits for calls, managing virtual network call processing, performing MET authentication, and providing call accounting, the GC optionally providing satellite bandwidth resources to the NOC for AMS(R)S resource provisioning, monitoring the performance of call processing and satellite circuit pool utilization, and performing MET management, commissioning and periodic performance verification testing and database management. 